Rezoning started for proposed drive-thru

First reading passes for zoning bylaw revision for part of Newcastle mall property

Miramichi city council has passed the first reading of the rezoning of part of the Miramichi Business Complex property at 410 King George Hwy. to allow a drive-thru restaurant. (FREE PRESS PHOTO)

---

MIRAMICHI - City council has started the rezoning process for part of a mall property in the old town of Newcastle to allow a proposed drive-thru restaurant.

At Tuesday’s meeting, council unanimously passed the first reading of a rezoning for a 6,384-square-metre parcel of the Miramichi Business Complex property at 410 King George Hwy. from general commercial (GC) to highway commercial (HC) to allow the development of a yet-unnamed drive-thru eatery.

The mall’s owner, Toronto firm True North Commercial REIT, requested the rezoning. The city’s planning review and adjustment committee recommended approving the rezoning in April.

In a report presented to the committee, Greater Miramichi Service Commission planning services manager Nic O’Dette said the applicant plans to construct the restaurant as an “out-pad” development. He said the prospective business name isn’t being disclosed at this time, pending the finalization of the lease.

“The subject property is currently zoned GC, which does not permit a drive-thru restaurant as a main use,” he said in his report.

“The proposed development aligns with the typical format of a fast-food drive-thru restaurant. Rezoning to the HC zone would permit this use and a broader range of automotive-oriented commercial activities in the future.”