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Proposed pharmacy on busy Penticton corner could mean intersection improvements

The lot at 595 Carmi Ave. would be narrowed to widen the traffic lanes
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The property at 595 Carmi Ave. is up for rezoning to allow a pharmacy to operate in the currently empty commercial building. With the rezoning, the lot would be narrowed to widen the neighbouring traffic lanes on Carmi Avenue and Government Street. (File from City of Penticton)

The addition of a pharmacy at a busy corner in Penticton will also have an impact on the intersection.

At the regular meeting on April 21, council gave first reading to a bylaw amendment to rezone the lot at 595 Carmi Ave. to allow a pharmacy to operate in the currently empty commercial building. According to city staff, the owner plans to improve the building’s façade with fibre cement panel siding and cladding and glass entry canopies.

The property also has two driveways, which will be altered in order to narrow the lot and adjust the vehicle lane. In addition, 1.5 metres of the lot along Government Street and 1.02 m of the lot along Carmi Avenue will be given a road dedication in order to widen the streets to accommodate traffic lanes, bike lanes, sidewalks and utilities.

READ MORE: Proposal put forward to turn old Penticton coffee shop into pharmacy

“The existing driveway (on the lot) along Government Street will be closed and the driveway on Carmi Avenue will be reduced to 4.5 m and converted to a right-turn exit only,” said Randy Houle, planner 1 for the city. “After going out on site, our engineers determined that the lane entry should be slightly widened as well. So if you’re heading west-bound on Carmi, there will be a wider area for you to turn into the lane.”

Houle said excluding widening the lane entry, all of this work will be done at the developer’s expense as a condition of the rezoning.

“We feel this is a significant win, directing all of the traffic into one location on the lane instead of coming from different parts of this busy intersection, especially with the new hospital tower opening,” said Houle.

“I certainly agree with the rezoning. It’s certainly applicable because I believe there are three doctors offices at this point in time (in the city) and I don’t doubt there will be more with the hospital there,” said Coun. Judy Sentes.

Council voted unanimously to give the bylaw amendment its first reading. This matter will return to city council on June 4 for a public hearing.

To report a typo, email: editor@pentictonwesternnews.com.

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Jordyn Thomson | Reporter
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