Fort St. John to host zoning bylaw hearing as Co-op eyes new car wash, drive-through restaurant

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — A zoning change affecting road access to a property on 100th Street is being considered by the City of Fort St. John, and residents are being invited to share their thoughts on it at an upcoming meeting.

The city issued a notice on August 15th, informing residents about an upcoming public hearing regarding a zoning amendment bylaw affecting 11432 100th Street, a plot currently occupied by the Co-op Gas Bar.

According to the notice, the bylaw would remove a requirement that mandates all accesses from the lot onto 100th Street be “right-in, right-out only,” meaning it’s only possible to leave the lot onto 100th Street by turning right.

The restriction was initially put in place because of concerns surrounding pedestrian safety.

However, according to a report submitted to Fort St. John council on August 11th, the Co-op is currently working with the city to add a new car wash and drive-through restaurant to the northern part of the lot, in addition to the existing amenities. That new building would require a second access from 100th Street.

Construction on that facility has yet to break ground, and in the meantime, a traffic study was conducted that reportedly showed an all-way access wouldn’t significantly impact 100th Street traffic or pedestrians.

As such, the Co-op wants to make the new access for the facility all-way rather than right-in, right-out only.

According to the report to council, staff have conducted internal reviews of the site plan, including the all-way access, and “do not have any immediate concerns at this time.”

The hearing regarding the zoning amendment bylaw is being held on Monday, August 25th at 6 p.m. at City Hall, and is open to all residents. Advance registration isn’t required to attend. 

The hearing will also be streamed live on the city’s website and YouTube channel.