At the Sept. 23 Castlegar City Council meeting, council approved the zoning variances requested for 1680 Columbia Ave., clearing the way for the development of a new Wendy's restaurant at the site.
The variances include changes to property line setbacks to accommodate retaining walls and a garbage enclosure and the number, type, size and location of signs.
While both council and staff mentioned initially having concerns over traffic flow, they indicated that those concerns had been addressed through the application process and an accompanying traffic impact study.
The applicant included a traffic impact study with their application. City staff also consulted with an external traffic consultant before recommending that the development application be approved.
Access to the restaurant will be via 17th Street and development plans include 10 on-site parking spaces and a drive-thru that accommodates 11 cars.
City staff said they will be analyzing the traffic light timing at the Columbia Avenue-17th Street intersection to ensure the best traffic flow.
A staff report says the applicant has worked with staff to make efficient use of the site while minimizing impacts to abutting land uses. It also added that the variances are not expected to negatively impact abutting roadways or properties and conditions of the permit have been included to mitigate any potential impacts such as excessive light emissions.
The report said internal concerns have been addressed, either through revisions to the proposal or through conditions of permit, to the satisfaction of staff.
