Most of the written submissions to the city regarding rezoning 107 Range Rd. to allow for a restaurant with a drive-thru service were in support of the project.

Of the 22 submissions received for Monday’s public hearing, 13 were in support of amending the zoning to allow for the drive-thru, eight were opposed and one was neutral.

There were also four petitions submitted with identical wording containing 302 signatures supporting the zoning amendment.

There was another on-line petition with 1,902 signatures that did not speak to the rezoning issue but did show solid support for the return of a Dairy Queen franchise.

The bylaw required to approve the rezoning application is scheduled to go back before city council on April 13 for second and third readings.

While the corporate headquarters of Dairy Queen has not confirmed or denied it is their franchise involved with the development, many of the submissions referred to Dairy Queen as the restaurant in question.

The 1.23-hectare Range Road lot is located next to Whitehorse Toyota.

The current zoning allows for a food and beverage business but not a drive-thru component.

Support was generally in favour of providing more food service options to subdivisions and the many businesses in the area and for those travelling the Alaska Highway.

Having a new food and beverage service available along the highway corridor would also reduce the need for people to drive downtown.

“This use will allow residents of Hillcrest, Valleyview, those heading to the CGC and those coming into or travelling through a welcome place to buy food and enjoy a meal in the restaurant or on the go,” says one submissions.

“The proposed new restaurant is well connected by alternative transportation routes. A new trail and the improved Black Street stairs.”

“I’m writing in support for the zoning amendment for 107 Range Road,” says another submission in support.

“It’s a great idea for folks travelling the Alaska Highway, especially as we see now with COVID, they do not have to drive into the downtown core for the purpose of getting some fast food. It will also benefit the many businesses and homes in that area.”

Another submission notes traffic in the downtown area is already congested.

Conversely, there was general opposition to providing for a drive-thru service that would compete with businesses downtown.

There was also general opposition to promoting a service that involved idling vehicles and greenhouse gas emissions.

“The approval of this amendment sets the precedent to allow for highway fast food restaurants and drive-throughs all along the Alaska Highway right-of-way,” says one submission in opposition.

“Communities that have robust car-oriented facilities along their major through-road struggle with downtown viability, requiring a costly (at public expense) downtown re-vitalization project in the future.

“This is not the community I envision .... The location is clearly auto-oriented and will induce, rather than reduce, travel trips. Lines of idling vehicles is in direct conflict with your stated goal of GHG emissions reduction and the climate emergency you have declared.”

Another submission notes approval of the zoning amendment would run contrary to several guiding plans the community relies on, such as the Official Community Plan (OCP) and the Sustainability Plan.

Another opposing submission by Keith Lay that was read out at council’s meeting pointed out the city’s development review committee has even recommended the city wait for the update of the OCP before considering zoning amendments along the highway corridor.

On the other hand, community planner Zoe Morrison said the location is ideal.

Morrison pointed out she works with Stantec Architecture, the firm working with the developer on the project.

The zoning prohibiting the drive-thru dates back to 1994, she said, adding the community has changed substantially since then.

Morrison said this would be a new local business and judging by the number of signatures on the petitions – in excess of 2,000 – people are excited about it.

“From a sustainability point of view, I think it is important to spread things out so there are options for people near where they live and work,” she told council.

In 2016, council did approve a food establishment with a drive-thru at the Kopper King property, though the zoning amendment was primarily to increase the attractiveness of the commercial property, and nothing has been built.

The city’s last Dairy Queen outlet, which had been located on Second Avenue, closed during the summer of 2007.