BY JASON THOMPSON
The city's planning committee ignored the recommendations of staff and approved a re-zoning application to allow for the conversion of the Shrine Club on The Kingsway to a transport truck driver training centre.
City staff who say the presence of on-site transport training centre poses a concern because the neighbouring properties have been designated as low density residential for years.
According to a staff report, introducing light industrial usage in close proximity to existing living areas would potentially create land use conflicts and would result in increased noise and traffic from the transport training centre.
The committee also received two letters from residents who don't want the training centre in their neighbourhood, saying the noise and pollution would reduce the quality of living.
The Shriners are selling the facility to John Beaudry, president of Transport Training Centres of Canada. Beaudry's school is currently located on Lasalle Blvd., behind Teklenburg's Sea Food Restaurant.
In response to concerns from residents and committee members, Beaudry said there will not be more than two trucks on the property, trucks will not be idling more than they have to because of the price of fuel and the centre will operate on weekdays from 9 am to 5 pm.
Ward 2 Councillor Ron Bradley, said qualified transport truck drivers are badly needed in the city. He also said local companies have had to temporarily shut down because of a lack of drivers.
Russ Thompson, Ward 4 councillor and councillor-elect for Ward 7, said the two transport trucks won't be any more intrusive than several hundred cars parking at the Shiners' Club for a banquet or a wedding.
A dozen Shrine Club members were in attendance at the meeting in a show of support for the re-zoning application. No residents came forward to speak out against the re-zoning. The Shiners will still operate out of a section of the club for their fundraising activities, but will no longer be making use of the banquet hall.
