Vehicle dealership proposed for Commerce Park area

Jason Armstrong, owner of several vehicle dealerships in Huntsville, is in the process of developing an estimated 3.2 hectares of land with frontage on both Kinton and North Kinton avenues in Huntsville’s Commerce Park area. Armstrong is proposing to sever the parcel into two lots and is planning to build an automotive dealership on one of the lots, which will have an area of about 1.83 hectares and 71.9 metres of frontage on Kinton Avenue.

Site map of the lot to be developed shown in red.

It is still uncertain what the plans are for the retained 1.37 hectare lot with 20.1 metres of frontage on North Kinton Avenue. An application asking for the planning committee to consider a height exemption for a hotel on the retained lands has been withdrawn.

Armstrong and planning consultant Savas Varadas were before Huntsville’s planning and adjustment committees on Wednesday, May 10 seeking approvals to move forward with the dealership. From the Committee of Adjustment, they sought an exemption from having to provide interior landscaping such as medians, islands, pedestrian pathways or public plazas within a parking lot containing 50 or more spaces. Varadas told committee that such landscaping is difficult to maintain in a vehicle lot, especially when snow removal is required. He indicated the customer parking would be landscaped and there would be vegetation on the periphery of the property. Councillor Nancy Alcock asked that the revegetation of the property be in keeping with wetlands in the area and Varadas noted that the revegetation would take place with native species.

“To compensate for relief from this bylaw requirement, staff have been working with the building owner to reach a mutually agreeable landscaping plan,” Huntsville Senior Planner Elizabeth Reimer told committee, adding that staff was recommending approval of the exemption. Committee concurred with the variance requested. Councillor and Committee Chair Bob Stone said he was pleased with the smaller and dark sky friendly light standards being proposed.

The principal building on the site will have an estimated gross area of 21,680 square metres, when the partial second level is considered. An accessory building of about 533 square metres is also proposed for the site. Planning Committee received and approved the site plan application for the dealership, pending “plans and drawings being to the satisfaction of the Town and all other commenting agencies,” and final ratification by council.

Two buildings and more than 75 parking spaces are being proposed as part of the dealership development.

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