The proponents of the business, listed as Mark Gallant and Brenda Arsenault, have asked the city to rezone a small parcel of land they own off Glenn Drive to Restricted Use Zone. The couple has started a towing company and require an enclosed space in which to temporarily store vehicles between when they tow them and the adjuster or police release it. The land in question is adjacent to their residence.
Speaking at a special council meeting recently Arsenault said the company would typically have to hold a vehicle in their storage area for a few days or maybe a week, and anything longer would be unusual.
“Our intention is not to store vehicles there for any amount of time,” she said.
Nearby homeowners were invited to the same meeting and several voiced concerns.
Debbie Gallant does not live near the proposed storage area, but spoke for family members, Pat and Kathy Gallant, who do live near the.
“Landowners, like us, who live in low density single family zoned areas should have every reasonable expectation that the use of properties in close proximity will not be changed to uses that have the potential of significant impacts,” said Debbie, reading from a letter penned by her relatives.
Even though the Restricted Use Zone allows for a storage facility, the residents suggested that a more industrial area would be more appropriate to store damaged vehicles, however temporarily.
Gallant and Arsenault added that they’ve examined the possibility of using another space, but noted that starting a new business is expensive and they are trying to minimize expenses. Using land they already own would help. They also offered to work with the city to mitigate concerns from their neighbours.
Council voted to move the request on to the Technical Services Committee, which will bring a recommendation back to council.
