A numbered company from southern Ontario, wants to bring its expertise in the retail, gas and convenience store industry to Powassan.
Company co-owner Leon Chabot outlined their vision for the property located behind the fair grounds on Fairview Lane.
“The plan is to build a retail gasoline station and convenience store, with a food partner. We’d be looking for major brands. We don’t have any formal agreements at this time,” said Chabot.
“Our focus would be on the convenience store and gas over the next two years, but we’d also like to zone it for a motel at a later date.”
Rezoning of the property will receive third and final reading at the next council meeting.
“Council has given first and second reading of the rezoning by-law and it passed. October 18th will be the final council meeting of this term and that zoning by-law will pass at that meeting,” said Powassan Mayor Peter McIsaac.
“The company purchased the property from a private individual in 2017. I believe it’s just around six acres.”
The company is required to conduct a number of studies pertaining to site plan controls needed to get the building permits, including traffic studies, hydrology studies, and drainage studies.
“We’re surveying the property now, and so we’ll be doing those studies and survey’s over the next year. We have some MTO requirements that need to be met. There’s traffic impact studies and storm water management studies that we have to provide to the MTO, so better to do it all at once and get all the approvals, then go back and do it again which will require more resources,” said Chabot
“It’s under Ministry of Transportation of Ontario jurisdiction because it’s close to the highway. There is a holding provision based on meeting MTO requirements and execution of a site plan agreement with the Municipality of Powassan. It’s a great opportunity, and I think it’s a fantastic location. I think it’s going to do well,” said Chabot.
Mayor McIsaac says the project is a welcome addition to the community.
“We’re very excited by what they’re proposing. I see it as another great thing that’s happening in our community. Having an investor that sees opportunity, sees that Powassan is growing is very positive. They’re more than happy to join us in our community and we’re definitely welcoming this investor. I think the community as a whole is going to see this as a very positive development.”
The goal is to have shovels in the ground by mid-2020.
