Maple Ridge has approved, in principle, providing water and sewer services to the planned new location of Maple Ridge Chrysler in Pitt Meadows.
But it wants to make sure it doesn’t get stuck with the costs and none of the benefits of the business which would be located just over the border at about 200th Street in Pitt Meadows on Lougheed Highway.
Because of the location of the new dealership, tucked in beside the on-ramp to the Golden Ears Bridge, there are no Pitt Meadows services. Instead, utilities have to be extended from one of Maple Ridge’s western suburbs.
Maple Ridge staff and council though want other issues solved first. The new business would add to traffic on Lougheed Highway, said Coun. Bob Masse.
“I just have a lot of concerns.”
And 20 years from now, will Maple Ridge have to replace the infrastructure at its cost? Masse asked.
Staff said no, adding that a utilities agreement would ensure Pitt Meadows foots the bill.
A staff report also said a floodplain assessment must be done to assess any impacts on groundwater and overland flows of water on nearby properties.
A stormwater plan also should be developed while a transportation study should look at pedestrian and vehicular access to the site.
Landscaping should include buffering of the site to minimize noise impacts on the homes nearby, while there should be no use of outdoor public address systems while light pollution should be minimized.
Coun. Tyler Shymkiw pointed out that a destination auto mall was being created along Lougheed Highway.
But Coun. Robson wanted to ensure that if Maple Ridge helps Pitt Meadows by providing service, the latter will return the favour by not opposing a rapid bus from Maple Ridge to Coquitlam.
Another dealership plans to move into the existing location of Maple Ridge Chrysler.