THUNDER BAY — Zoning changes to allow a for large retail warehouse and gas bar to be constructed have been proposed at 1091 Central Avenue.
The City of Thunder Bay has posted a notice of application for a zoning bylaw amendment at that site.
A schematic diagram of the retail warehouse being proposed matches similar diagrams at other Costco locations.
City officials would neither confirm nor deny whether the proposed building would be a Costso, but the similarities have sparked speculation in the community after years of public discussion about the possibility.
According to the notice, the change would increase the gross floor area allowed at the site from 185 square metres to 20,000 square metres, which equates to more than 215,000 square feet. A typical Costco averages 146,000 square feet in the United States.
The zoning bylaw amendment request also includes a request to permit motor vehicle service use, while reducing the landscaping requirement from 20 per cent to 15 per cent and increasing the maximum driveway width from nine metres to 9.5 metres.
Engineering firm Stantec’s log is also attached to the sign, which was up on a vacant lot adjacent to Innova Park, at the intersection of Central Avenue and Golf Links Road.
Newswatch has reached out to Mayor Ken Boschcoff and Stantec, for comment. Costco will only comment on future locations within three months of opening.
According to the signage, a public meeting will be held, with electronic participation, to consider the proposal, though the time and date have yet to be determined.
City officials said comments are being collected until March 20.
