CORNER BROOK, N.L. — The proposed development of the former CBC building lot on Premier Drive got a boost on Monday night as Corner Brook City Council passed a motion of a request to rezone the area to a general commercial designation.
The development proposal was first brought to council back in January, but went through municipal affairs before returning to the chamber during Monday night’s meeting.
The proposal would see a five-storey apartment building constructed targeting those over the age of 55, as well as redeveloping the former CBC building for commercial and personal care uses, such as a pharmacy, walk-in clinic, a gym/fitness area, small restaurant, spa/beauty parlour, and other health services.
“The proposed use of the redevelopment is primarily intended for residents of the apartment,” said Coun. Josh Carey as he brought the motion forward to council.
“But will also provide services to the public.”
A tentative public hearing has been set for 7 p.m. on May 2, however if no objections are received or no member of the public expresses interest or intent in attending 48 hours prior to the hearing, it will be cancelled.
Council members voted unanimously to approve the rezoning motion, but still had questions.
Coun. Vaughn Granter questioned what would happen in the developer decided to change the proposed plan.
“And it becomes all commercial or all personal and not the intent of what we’re approving here tonight,” he asked.
Mayor Jim Parsons stressed that council was merely approving the rezoning on Monday and not the development itself at this time. But allowing the zoning change was necessary to allow the proposal to move forward.
“It’s a bit of a leap of faith,” he said. “But I think in this case this is a safe bet.”
Carey also questioned — as he did previously — whether a five-storey building was a permitted use under the general commercial zone designation the developer was seeking, but the answer to that wasn’t immediately known.
