Steve Weller says he doesn’t anticipate any jump in crime or other issues because of his proposed liquor store.
Weller is planning to open the store on Canora Road, across from a North Saanich residential subdivision and next door to Enterprise car rentals. He told Sidney town council this month that he had heard some opponents of the project complain that the store would cause a jump in local crime. That’s something he disputes and said council should not consider as credible information when considering the new store.
Weller owns the property at 9429 Canora Rd. and plans on renovating the building to accommodate the liquor store. It will include four parking stalls out front and revamp the site to allow the car rental facility better parking space.
Enterprise has been the target on resident complaints in recent months, as they park their rental vehicles along Canora and on Frost Avenue, in a residential area. Weller said he’s aware of the issue, noting that the company does park on Frost, “on heavy weekends.” He added his plans should help alleviate that parking pressure.
Coun. Erin Bremner asked if there are any signs on Frost that say ‘no parking’ or parking for residents only. Weller said no, and that parking is allowed on both sides of the street 24 hours a day.
Bremner asked if the Town should consider putting up such signage — an idea Weller approved of.
“It’s a great idea, do it,” he said at council’s Oct. 13 meeting. “Parking is a problem in Sidney, you know that.”
Bremner added she thinks the parking in that part of town should be included in a parking study, recently awarded to Boulevard Transportation. The focus of that study is Sidney’s downtown commercial core, but council was on board with including this portion of West Sidney.
Chief Administrative Officer Randy Humble said staff can explore options for the area, such as amalgamating Sidney’s streets and traffic bylaws to prohibit that type of commercial use of streets.
“It comes down to good neighbours,” said Coun. Barbara Fallot.
She encouraged Weller and the businesses on the property to meet and talk. Weller agreed.
“No one wants that corner cleaned up more than I do,” he said.
Council will send Weller’s site proposal on to the District of North Saanich for their input. The District has jurisdiction on the west side of Canora Road.
The project will also be reviewed by Sidney’s Advisory Planning Commission, which will make recommendations to council on the form and character of the proposal.