Latest news with #ChadCeretti
CBC
16-05-2025
- Business
- CBC
Proposed 4th gas station for Borden-Carleton will now await IRAC decision
Social Sharing The future of a controversial development near the Confederation Bridge in Borden-Carleton, P.E.I., is now in the hands of the Island Regulatory and Appeals Commission. Three days of hearings wrapped up Thursday in Charlottetown. Danny Murphy, president of D.P. Murphy Group of Companies, wants to build a 24-hour Irving gas station, Tim Hortons, convenience store and two 3,000-square-foot retail spaces in the town. The company needs IRAC's approval for a license to sell gas. It doesn't need approval to build the development itself. Chad Ceretti, owner of Ceretti's Grocery and Hardware, said he's relieved the hearings are over. He's fighting the planned development, which would be built next door to his business. "It's been a long couple of days, there's a weight that's been lifted, you know all the build up to it. It's been lifted, for now, until a decision is made," Ceretti told CBC News after the hearings wrapped up. "We have a tremendous amount of support, nobody wants to see the little guy go by the wayside. It's part of P.E.I.'s charm and they're with us. They tell us they're behind us." In a statement to CBC News, D.P. Murphy says the company maintains its "excitement regarding the proposed development in Borden-Carleton and is hopeful that the commission grants [it] the ability to serve the evolving needs of the community, Island and our valued tourists." WATCH | Fate of proposed Borden-Carleton gas station now in IRAC's hands as hearings wrap up: Fate of proposed Borden-Carleton gas station now in IRAC's hands as hearings wrap up 4 hours ago Duration 1:25 The future of D.P. Murphy's controversial development near the Confederation Bridge is now up to the Island Regulatory and Appeals Commission after three days of hearings wrapped up this week. The 24-hour Irving gas station, Tim Hortons, convenience store and retail space would be built next to a store owned by Chad Ceretti, who's fighting the plans. CBC's Wayne Thibodeau reports. During the hearing, the three IRAC commissioners – Kerri Carpenter, Terry McKenna and Gordon MacFarlane – heard about the potential impact the development would have on Ceretti's. A report prepared for Ceretti's said the D.P. Murphy project would cost the family-owned business thousands of dollars, resulting in its "imminent closure." Chad Howatt of Howatt's Shell was an intervener in the case, but did not make a formal presentation during the hearing. Officials with D.P. Murphy argued its development would be providing a new service to the town, which is the gateway to the province. The company said its development would have lots of parking for cars, big trucks and RVs; bright, modern bathrooms; EV charging stations; and a place where motorists can stop 24 hours a day. 'The quicker the better' The Petroleum Products Act, which will guide IRAC in its decision, states that when issuing a gas station license, the commission should consider "demand for the proposed service, the location of the outlet, traffic flows and the applicant's record of performance." If either side is not happy with IRAC's ruling, they could appeal it to the P.E.I. Supreme Court. WATCH | Owner of Borden-Carleton store 'terrified' over prospect of 4th gas station in the town: Owner of Borden-Carleton store 'terrified' over prospect of 4th gas station in the town 1 day ago Duration 2:26 Hearings continued for a second day on a controversial development near P.E.I.'s Confederation Bridge where D.P. Murphy wants to build a 24-hour Irving gas station and Tim Hortons. Wednesday, IRAC commissioners heard what impact that development may have on another gas station in the community. CBC's Wayne Thibodeau has more. Ceretti said he doesn't know whether he would appeal the decision if it doesn't go his way, adding, "I'm not there yet." IRAC's decision could still be weeks away. "It's not going to be an overnight decision," Ceretti said. "Of course we would prefer that, but that's not the case. You know, the quicker the better."
CBC
13-05-2025
- Business
- CBC
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.
CBC
06-05-2025
- Politics
- CBC
'It's a David and Goliath type deal, and we're fighting for our lives,' gas station owner says
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.
