This article was previously published on EloraFergusToday.
FERGUS – The owner of the Walmart plaza in Fergus is looking to add more retail buildings.
SmartCentres has applied for a minor variance which would allow it to build two more unspecified commercial buildings at the Fergus shopping centre property, which has a boundary of St. David Street North, Woodhill Drive and Parkside Drive West.
As it is now, the property consists of a Walmart, an oil change business, an LCBO and a building with two fast food outlets, a dentist office and hair salon.
A 4,000 sq. ft. building would be located along the eastern property boundary along St. David Street North which a report said will “contribute to the continuation of the street wall and provides good visibility for pedestrians and traffic passing by.”
The other building would be 3,500 sq. ft. in the southwest corner with visibility from St. David Street North and Parkside Drive West and can be accessed through the existing parking lot.
This requires a minor variance because it means a loss of 55 parking spaces. The report noted a reduction in parking is supported through a parking study completed by a consultant included with the application.
“In our opinion, allowing additional development on the property provides an opportunity to put underutilized surface parking to better use by providing the community with additional retail options,” the report said.
The design and details for the proposed additional retail uses will be finalized through a future site plan application.
The committee of adjustment will consider this application at a meeting Thursday afternoon.
