THUNDER BAY – Two Intercity area properties have been rezoned, paving the way for the sale of an empty Field Street lot.
Council on Monday evening unanimously approved a bylaw amendment for the property at 880 Field Street and 502 16th Avenue be rezoned from heavy industrial to a modified urban centre zone commercial.
That reclassification allows the sale of the city-owned lands to proceed with an agreement of purchase and sale for the Field Street property.
Ron Marostica, the owner of the 502 16th Avenue property, said the site is being looked as a future Subaru dealership.
“The intention is to build a new car dealership there,” Marostica said. “I would like to compliment all the city staff who have been so great working with us and assembling these residual lands that were really worthless and have put them into something that will be quite something by the time we’re done.”
There were no supporters or opposing opinions voiced by members of the public and there were no questions from council.
As well, council approved a zoning bylaw amendment at 819 Gore Street as a personal services establishment and mixed use building that will allow three entrepreneurs previously running wedding industry businesses out of their homes to combine in the space.
Ryan Moore, economic development officer for the Thunder Bay and District Entrepreneur Centre, said he lives in the area and describes the existing establishment as a “blank empty space” and would welcome the proposal.
“I’m always energized when I see an entrepreneur decide to take on a bigger activity,” Moore said.
“I think anyway we can help out these entrepreneurs with these activities, I think that’s a win-win not only for them but the city as well.”
That proposal was unanimously approved.
Council was scheduled to receive a report on the replacement of the police and fire radio systems – a project which has been budgeted at $2 million this year – but that item has been rescheduled to a future meeting.
