By KELLY LOUISEIZE
Thunder Bay may see the development of a $5-million to $7-million Flying J. Travel Plaza.
The plaza is proposed for development at the intersection of Oliver Road and the Thunder Bay expressway.
The city unanimously approved the rezoning of property from residential suburban to industrial, to property called the Prestige Business Park.
Both the developer and the city will work out a plan as to how the site can be developed, says Gloria Opaski, development officer with the city.
Holding restrictions that were instituted could be removed when sanitary sewer, landscaping and a noise study have met the approval of city planners and engineers, she says. As well, a traffic impact study will be conducted to the satisfaction of the Ministry of Transportation.
An appeal process for the rezoning of the property was open until Sept. 23 and three appeals have been forwarded to the Ontario Municipal Board.
Homeowners in the past have spoken out against the possible noise, light and environmental impacts of diesel exhaust arising from the proposed
truck stop at public and council meetings.
"There were a number of individuals who made a presentation.. and they indicated they would be appealing the bylaw if it was approved,"says Leslie McEachern, the city's senior planner.
"One of the gentlemen who spoke at the public meetings was a lawyer who had been retained by a number of the residents along Oliver Road."
These residences are closest to the prospective development. Whether they are reconsidering their position after the public meetings or organizing
their appeal remains unknown.
Construction tenders have not been open McEachern says, but because of the sewer extension and other infrastructure she does expect contracts to arise. The city and the developer are awaiting outcomes from appeal process before they decide the direction.
The Flying J. Travel Plaza is expected to be a 10,000-square- foot facility equipped with a convenience store, gift shop, restaurant and lounge for professional truckers, Opaski says. No sleeping accommodation will be available for truckers however, they will have access to the Internet, television, phone and laundry facilities. The plaza will also be geared to the traveling public, people with motor homes and recreational vehicles who tour the province via the TransCanada Highway.
Thunder Bay was chosen as a site for the plaza because it is on a highway corridor that move vehicles from west to east and visa versa, Thunder Bay Chamber of Commerce Chair Lou Hebert says.
He is in full support of the project. Having spent 30 years in the trucking business. he realizes fuel supply, maintenance and travel plazas have positive spin offs in any community.
"The Flying J will provide jobs and tax revenue to the city," he says.
If the Flying J becomes a reality, it means an additional $400,000 tax base and 55 full-time jobs, says Opaski.
