Gateway 286 project moves forward after receiving third reading

Merritt City Council has approved third reading of an Official Community Plan (OCP) and zoning amendment to pave the way for development at Gateway 286, the former visitor centre location. The vote was unanimous.

“TRUE Consulting on behalf of Spayum Holdings Limited Partnership, is proposing to amend Official Community Plan No. 2116, 2011 to change the land use designation of the subject property from Future Development and Institutional to Comprehensive Residential Commercial,” wrote Community Planner, Janna Bradshaw.

“The applicant is also proposing to amend Zoning Bylaw No. 2284, 2020 to change the zoning of the subject property from Institutional and Public Use (P2) to Comprehensive Development (CD3),” added Bradshaw.

Following an approval from the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure, City Council will consider fourth reading and final adoption.

The project is estimated to be a 20-year build-out separated into two cells. Cell A, which includes 3.6 hectares of the property is proposed to include;

• Administrative Office
• Artisan Studio
• Brewing and Distilling
• Drive-Through Business
• Filling Station
• Food Primary Establishment
• Gallery and Museum
• Liquor Primary Establishment
• Park
• Retail Store, Convenience
• Truck Travel Centre

The proposed project is one half of the full gateway 286 vision.

“The property at 2320 Hamilton Hill Road, east of the subject property, is slated for residential development and a hotel. That rezoning application has received three readings and had a Public Hearing, and is currently pending Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure (MOTI) approval before being presented to Council for final adoption,” wrote Bradshaw.