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Important corner for city

Parksville city council debates development proposal for Corfield and Highway 19A
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The future site of a new Co-op Gas Bar with second floor residential at the far back corner of the lot away from the intersection.

Parksville council issued a development permit for a new Mid Island Co-op gas bar with residential units upstairs at their newest location at Corefield Street and Highway 19A in Parksville.

"I welcome this change, I've seen what the Co-op have done up and down the Island, they've got some wonderful new buildings," said councillor Marc Lefebvre, who, like the other councillors who spoke, called it an important corner in the city.

He asked if they could include an electric charging station but someone from the gallery from the Co-op said it was not planned at this time due to a shortage of space.

Coun. Bill Neufeld said he liked the proposal.

"I think they did a great job — I think this is a significant piece of the revitalization of the downtown core," said Neufeld, adding that  he was concerned about traffic flows.

"I would like to point out what an awesome example of our advisory design panel at work this whole exercise has been," said Coun. Carrie Powell-Davidson, liaison to the panel of local professionals that reviews projects before council.

She said it went to the panel twice and the proponent accepted all or most of the suggested changes.

She pointed out that the initial plan was not to be full-service any more, but they could reconsider that in the future.

She also called it an important gateway to the downtown core and like others said she liked the "West-Coast-style" design of the building and local vegetation.

The project would require the consolidation of five lots, including one across the lane behind the current Save-On Gas building for additional parking.