The City of Pitt Meadows has received an application to rezone a large piece of land along Lougheed Highway for a major car dealership.
The property used to be part of the Meadow Gardens golf course and sits adjacent to an overpass for the Golden Ears Bridge and a Metro Vancouver pump station currently under construction.
It straddles the border of Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows, backing onto a residential subdivision on 201st Street.
Maple Ridge Chrysler wants to build a two-storey 55,990 square foot structure on the site and pave it for 590 parking stalls.
City planner Dana Parr said the application is still in its early stages.
On Wednesday, Maple Ridge Chrysler held an information meeting at the Meadow Gardens Golf Club, which 20 people from the surrounding neighbourhood attended.
The property is no longer in the agricultural land reserve, but is currently zoned agricultural-golf course. It was previously considered for a residential development, but the city believes houses are not the right fit.
“We are looking for a use that is oriented to the highway, that is vehicle oriented,” said Parr.
“How interfaces with the residential neighbourhood to the east is really important. Hopefully we can find some attractive solutions.”
Accessing the proposed dealership remains an issue. Parr said the application currently shows an entrance from Lougheed Hwy., but doubts the province will grant that.
“It’s just conceptual at this stage,” she added.
Maple Ridge Chrysler is discussing the proposed development with TransLink and the Ministry of Transportation.
Bus lane cheaters
Drivers trying to dodge a long line of traffic by travelling in a bus-only lane during the rush hour Monday got busted by RCMP.
Ridge-Meadows traffic services team partnered up with Fraser Valley Integrated Road Safety Unit to monitor the eastbound stretch on Lougheed Highway at Old Dewdney Trunk Road in Pitt Meadows.
RCMP said they saw many motorists using the bus lane to bypass those who were waiting at the lights to travel east on Lougheed Hwy.
Those drivers were handed violation tickets for $109.
“During rush hour traffic levels are at their busiest and we would like to thank those who were patient and courteous to others by using the proper lane,” said Const. Mike Moore.
Over a four hour period Monday, police handed out 45 tickets, notices and orders.
Police were also stationed on Golden Ears Way to nab speeders and say they’ll keep up the enforcement throughout summer.
Moore said on Friday police were using unconventional police vehicles to track speeders.
They handed out 20 violation tickets and one vehicle was impounded for traveling in excess of 40 km/h over the posted limit of 80 km/h.
“Please keep in mind the posted speed limits as we would like everyone traveling through our community to have a safe and enjoyable commute,” Moore added.