As the dog days of summer near an end, Barks and Recreation Pet Services will be packing up their one-stop dog shop on Cedar Avenue and moving to a new locale in downtown Trail.
Council gave the go-ahead to store owners Sara Fulcher and Cameron Dixon at the last meeting on Aug. 26 with two readings to a bylaw that re-zones the Emmanuel Baptist Church on Pine Street from institutional to general commercial.
Most of the properties in the downtown core, including those surrounding the church, are zoned for commercial. From a planning perspective, the property is well suited for re-zoning, explained Michelle McIsaac, Trail’s corporate administrator during the meeting.
“The zoning change should not significantly impact the neighbouring properties,” she added.
However, before the pair can move the business into the vacant church site, a few hurdles remain.
First, a public hearing is required whenever council considers an amendment to the zoning bylaw, irrespective of what the proposed change is, as per the Local Government Act.
An opportunity for public comment is scheduled for Sept. 9, 6:00 p.m. at city hall.
In addition, the bylaw will be advanced to the Ministry of Transportation for approval since the property is located within 800 metres of controlled access highway (Hwy 3B), said McIsaac.
Barks and Recreation have leased their current location for three years but to grow the business, a larger space is needed.
“We have been very successful because of the support in the community,” said Fulcher. “The new location will give us the ability to expand our retail section and provide more services.”
From dog daycare to dog paddling, council next approved an increase in recreation rates, which means swimmers will pay more for a dip when the Aquatic Centre reopens its pool September 8.
Residents will pay a 10 or 20 cent increase for drop in fees depending on age, and $3 more per hour for group swims.
Over the past several years. fees for recreation services have increased modestly, but no increase was made in 2012, due in part to changes in the Harmonized Sales Tax, said Trisha Davison, Trail Parks and Recreation director.
The two per cent increase is an attempt to balance cost increases in user fees for facilities and parks with what it is believed the market can bear with the inflationary costs of operating facilities.