Over 100 people packed into Owl Street Cafe last Wednesday to learn more about the proposed Flying J truck stop in the Flood-Hope area.
The company plans on developing 3.1 hectares (7.47 acres) of the 9.3-hectare (22.95-acre) property located adjacent to exit 168 off Highway 1. The new truck stop would consist of a gas station, card-lock commercial access diesel refueling facility, Denny’s Restaurant and convenience store. Project manager Brad Alsup expects the development to create 80-100 local jobs and have parking for 67 trucks.
“This location will fill a need in our network of facilities in Canada,” said Alsup. “The Hope market is underserved with travel centers, and we feel the facility will provide a valuable service to the professional driver and to the local community.”
Mayor Susan Johnston sees the truck stop as the first step towards growth in the Hope area.
“I think it’s going to be terrific. We certainly say we’re open for business and this proves it,” she said. “I think that all things being equal it’s going to be a huge asset to the community. We know that we can’t stay on the path we’ve been on and we have to be cognizant of the fact that people need to work in order to spend money.”
The project does require amendments to Hope’s official community plan and zoning bylaw. The amendments would change the OCP land use designation at 62890 Flood-Hope Road from light/service industry to highway commercial and rezone the area from rural to highway commercial.
There is no proposal for the remaining 6.18 hectares (15.27 acres) of the property at this time, however it will remain zoned highway commercial for future development.
A public hearing for the OCP and zoning bylaw amendments is on April 23 in the new multipurpose room at the rec centre.