IRAC hears about potential gains and losses from new 24/7 gas station in Borden-Carleton
So many people packed into the hearing room at the Island Regulatory and Appeals Commission's office in Charlottetown on Tuesday that officials had to turn some away.
They were there to show support for two Borden-Carleton gas station owners, Chad Ceretti from Ceretti's Grocery and Hardware and Chad Howatt of Howatt's Shell.
They're fighting D.P. Murphy's plans to build a gas station near the Confederation Bridge in the western Prince Edward Island gateway community that already hosts three gas stations. IRAC is the body that would grant the gas station licence.
Murphy's proposal includes a 24-hour Irving gas station, a Tim Hortons restaurant, and two 3,000-square-foot retail spaces in addition to hundreds of parking spaces for cars and big trucks and some EV charging stations.
Tuesday's discussions were dominated by what could be gained — or lost — if this proposal goes ahead.
Island regulator hears arguments for and against a 4th Borden-Carleton gas station
2 hours ago
Duration 2:09
The fate of a new gas station complex for Borden-Carleton hangs in the balance as the Island Regulatory and Appeals Commission conducts a hearing on whether the area needs a fourth service station. Danny Murphy of D.P. Murphy (left) was at the IRAC hearing to talk about what his proposed 'Welcome Plaza' could do for the town at the P.E.I. end of the Confederation Bridge. CBC's Wayne Thibodeau reports.
Danny Murphy, president of D.P. Murphy, talked about the current state of Borden-Carleton, describing rusted steel fencing, uncut grass and the still-hanging signs of businesses long shuttered
"I'd give it a six out of 10," the businessman told commissioners Kerri Carpenter, Terry McKenna and Gordon MacFarlane.
Murphy says he wants to be part of a development that transforms Borden-Carleton, drawing connections to Disney and asking why there isn't a giant Anne of Green Gables statue welcoming people as they get off the bridge from New Brunswick.
His vision includes a "Welcome Plaza" with what he described as a "truly iconic" Canadian brand, Tim Hortons, anchoring the development and operating 24/7.
He said it would be a place for people to go at all hours, and for truckers to park and find a place to eat and grab a coffee at times when the nearby Confederation Bridge is closed to big trucks because of bad weather.
But there's been pushback in the community. More than 400 people have emailed IRAC to say they don't want another gas station in their town.
Many of those email writers were at the hearing Tuesday.
The lawyer for Ceretti's, Ryan MacDonald, said another gas station in the town would have "detrimental" effects that include the closure of Ceretti's.
MacDonald pointed out that the new development does not include full grocery options, hardware, or a meat counter, like Ceretti's does. The lawyer said those services will be lost to townspeople if the new gas station puts Ceretti's out of business.
MacDonald also argued that Murphy could proceed with his development without selling gas.
In his remarks to the commissioners, Murphy said he doesn't believe his development will put anybody out of business. He said he believes there will be more business overall in Borden-Carleton with this new development, saying that right now, a lot of people drive through the community without stopping.
Murphy said Prime Minister Mark Carney's campaign promise to lower the Confederation Bridge toll to $20 will only increase traffic going through Borden-Carleton.
"They also have longtime loyal customers who will continue to support their local gas stations," Murphy said of his future competitors.
His proposal had its own supporters, represented in the form of letters from Robert Irving of Cavendish Farms, Andrew Keith from SFX Transport, and Corryn Clemence from the Tourism Industry Association of Prince Edward Island.
'It's a David and Goliath type deal, and we're fighting for our lives,' gas station owner says
7 days ago
Duration 2:33
More than 100 people packed into the Legion in Borden-Carleton last night to discuss an application for a new gas station just off the Confederation Bridge. Chad Ceretti's gas station is right next to where the new one would be. CBC's Wayne Thibodeau reports.
The commission also heard from an expert witness from the accounting firm Deloitte Canada.
Deloitte's Chris Robertson took a look at current and projected gas sales, traffic and population growth trends and determined that the town can support another gas station.
D.P. Murphy paid for that report, and Ceretti's lawyers challenged some of the numbers.
The hearing continues Wednesday.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CBC
16 minutes ago
- CBC
New regulations for businesses using environmental claims to sell products, services
New guidelines are out on how businesses can use environmental claims to sell their products and services. This comes after Canada's Competition Bureau faced backlash when it expanded rules around what can and cannot be claimed in advertising and marketing last year. As Jessica Cheung explains, reaction is pouring in about how effective these will be.
CBC
2 hours ago
- CBC
Company that worked on ArriveCan app barred from government contracts for 7 years
Ottawa says it has banned the largest contractor that worked on the ArriveCan app from entering into contracts or real property agreements with the government for seven years. Public Services and Procurement Canada has announced that GC Strategies Inc. has been deemed "ineligible" after an assessment of the supplier's conduct. Last year, the department suspended the security status of GC Strategies, which the auditor general says was awarded more than $19 million for the project. That move followed an earlier decision to suspend the company from procurement processes within the department. The government also barred two other companies that contributed to the ArriveCan project, Dalian Enterprises and Coradix Technology Consulting, from participating in procurement opportunities. The federal government launched the app in April 2020 as a way to track health and contact information for people entering Canada during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as to digitize customs and immigration declarations. A report by Canada's Auditor General Karen Hogan found the government's record-keeping was poor and its reliance on outside contractors allowed the cost of the project to balloon to $60 million. The first ArriveCan contract was initially valued at just $2.35 million. On Tuesday, Hogan is set to deliver an audit focusing on whether the contracts awarded and the payments made to GC Strategies and other incorporated companies were "in accordance with applicable policy instruments" and were good value for money. Public Services and Procurement Canada says the government continues to take action to "strengthen the integrity of the procurement process." The Canadian Press has reached out to GC Strategies and to Public Services and Procurement Canada for comment. GC Strategies partner Kristian Firth was ordered to appear before the bar of the House of Commons last year after refusing to answer questions at a committee hearing. Firth was grilled by MPs for two hours, though Liberals opted out of questioning after a doctor's note provided to the clerk of the House recommended that he not appear because of mental-health issues. GC Strategies did not develop or manage the ArriveCan app, but it was tasked by the federal government to assemble a team to complete some parts of the project.
CBC
3 hours ago
- CBC
Developer wants City of Whitehorse to allow a drive-thru in Whistle Bend
Social Sharing A Whitehorse developer says it is "vital" that the city approve a zoning amendment that would allow for a new drive-thru restaurant in the Whistle Bend neighbourhood. Northern Vision Development's request is now before city council. It's for a 2.3-hectare parcel of land that fronts Whistle Bend Way, one of the main entrances to the neighbourhood. The vacant property is currently zoned for commercial use, which would allow restaurants, grocery stores or convenience stores, but not a drive-thru. The company's CEO Michael Hale says a drive-thru is "needed" because it would help ensure that the larger development of the property is economically viable. "[Fast food chains] are the kinds of businesses that can sign long-term leases, because they're confident that the community is going to continue to come to them," said Hale. He says he's heard from residents that what they want in the neighbourhood is a grocery store. He says the company is planning to include one on the property, but that those businesses tend to produce less revenue per square foot than drive-thrus. "[Grocery stores] take up a lot of economically, it's much more important to have these small, high-volume businesses — because those are in a position to pay lease rates that justify the development," said Hale. He said Northern Vision Development will spend somewhere in the ballpark of $50 to $70 million developing the property. "So you need at least 20 to 25 years of predictable revenue, even just to service the debt," said Hale. At a committee meeting this week, city councillors asked whether the company already had a drive-thru business interested in setting up shop there. Hale said there are several that are potentially interested. Potential traffic, environment impacts There are currently no food and beverage retailers in the Whistle Bend subdivision which is home to more than 4,000 residents. It's the newest and fastest-growing neighbourhood in Whitehorse and it's projected to grow to as many as 10,000 people by 2030. It's already home to more people than Dawson City and Watson Lake combined. Erin Suggitt has been living in Whistle Bend for five years. She says having walkable food and beverage options is long overdue. "It feels forgotten, to be honest. When we moved in we were told other things were coming really quickly, then they kept getting re-zoned to residential instead of commercial," said Suggitt. She says she has no problem with a drive-thru in the residential neighbourhood. "I have kids, and drive-thrus are convenient," she said. She just hopes the zoning will consider rush hour. "Traffic here gets a little crazy so I hope they're making sure it doesn't hold up anything else," she said. As part of its application, Northern Vision Development undertook a traffic impact assessment. According to the developer and the City of Whitehorse staff who reviewed the application, it shows a drive-thru "would not adversely affect the safe functioning of adjacent roadways." City staff also considered the potential environmental impacts of a drive-thru, in light of the city's Climate Action Plan which aims to reduce green house gas emissions. Darcy McCord, the city's acting manager of planning and sustainability services, said drive-thrus "encourage idling," but said the difference in greenhouse gas emissions between a drive-thru and sit-down restaurant are overall "anticipated to be negligible." Hale also suggested that customers who go to a drive-thru in Whistle Bend would likely be seeking out a fast food dinner either way. "It's just, are they doing it in their own community, or are they going to line up downtown?" Hale said. City councillors are expected to discuss the zoning application in the coming weeks. A public hearing will also have to take place as part of the process, though a date for that has not yet been set.
