The City of Dawson Creek is expecting a new daycare and car wash after council approved zoning amendment bylaws to allow for the specific construction of both facilities.
During their August 11 regular council meeting, Dawson Creek city council voted in favour of these zoning amendments for the two commercial plots of land located in the city’s downtown.
The first revised zoning bylaw will apply to the area where the Nawican Friendship Centre operates, as the group requested the amendment to begin developing a 44-space daycare. Dawson Creek city staff’s report said the centre is adjusting the borders on the whole property, from 10216 17 Street to 10220 17 Street, to permit general commercial activity.
The current zoning, service commercial, allows for daycares, however, staff said the centre told them adjusting to allow broader applications of the use of land will prevent them from having to redo the re-zone process.
Other steps, including the acquisition of a development permit, have been taken by the Nawican Friendship Centre. City staff’s report said they hope it will be ready to open in the first quarter of next year, but the project has not yet broken ground.
The second zoning amendment on the agenda for the council was a proposal to allow a new car wash at the northwestern corner of the Dawson Mall. Current zoning regulations on the plot of land adjacent to the mall allow for parks, natural areas, and trails – with the amended bylaw, a portion of this plot of land will be absorbed as part of the Dawson Mall and considered general commercial.
Dawson Mall’s owner submitted the request to council and already owns the properties surrounding the mall, according to the report by city staff. The mall’s owner secured 11 signatures from surrounding business owners, these signatures were presented during the July 22 public hearing on the revised zoning plan.
The car wash will operate on a one-way path, with drivers entering from the mall’s driveway and exiting en route to the lights at 8 Street and 110 Street. It is not expected to interfere with the creek or trails in the area, and staff said the project was approved by the Ministry of Transportation and Transit in May.
Both zoning amendment bylaws were approved by council, but behind-the-scenes work will continue before construction can begin at either site.
