Developers have scrubbed their plans to include a car wash in the hwy 37 commercial subdivision and will instead proceed with a diesel pump station.
Kitimat Council received the development amendment application from Abugov Kaspar Architecture at their regular meeting Aug 21 and unanimously approved the request.
According to developer Bruce Abugov, who joined council via telephone, Circle K decided the diesel station would be a better financial opportunity on a site with regular highway traffic. He suggested Circle K may move their plans for the car wash to their other Kitimat location on Lahakas Blvd.
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The change will require minor reconfiguration of the landscaping and parking stalls at the hwy 37 site, but a report from the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure determined the impacts on highway traffic conditions will be similar or slightly better than with the original plans.
Abugov noted the high-speed diesel pumps will service vehicles up to five tonnes, like RVs, fleet vehicles and pickups, but will not cater to semi trailer rigs or include a cardlock.
The proposed commercial development now consists of two separate buildings and two service stations. It includes a McDonald’s restaurant with a drive thru and a Circle K convenience store with a gas bar and high-speed diesel pump station.
With the new diesel pumps, builders will have to wait for new permits before construction can begin.
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Abugov said work on the McDonald’s foundation will begin in two weeks.
“We’re pushing as hard as we can,” he said. “McDonald’s has agreed to move this along as quickly as they can too, and hopefully, if all goes well, we’ll get most of the building up by the end of the year.”