THUNDER BAY – City council has unanimously approved a rezoning proposal that would open the door for a hotel to be built at the intersection where Oliver Road meets the Highway 17 expressway.
The designation would allow for up to a 20-metre-tall hotel or motel to be constructed on 11,920 square metres of land, 90 metres east of the highway on the north side of Oliver Road.
No hotelier or developer for the project has been publicly named.
“I’m supportive of the hotel. I think it’s a good thing because it’s further development to the city,” said Red River Coun. Brian McKinnon, adding no objectors appeared before council to argue against the proposal.
“That whole area is turning into a commercial/industrial area anyway. I think there’s only one house left.”
The provincial Ministry of Transportation has some reservations, however.
The MTO will not allow the prospective hotel to build a driveway onto Oliver Road. The city intends to extend Burwood Road across Oliver and the developer would connect to that road.
Administration anticipates the applicant will pay to build the road but expects the city will be responsible for its upkeep.
The MTO’s plans for the Thunder Bay Expressway include raising Oliver Road over the highway into a “flyover.” If that plan goes ahead, Oliver Road would only be accessible to vehicles traveling north on the expressway.
“I presume the hotelier would be award of whatever plans the province has at that intersection and the province has been made aware of the proposal for this hotel,” said city development services manager Mark Smith.
“So, eyes wide open.”
