Agricultural land next to highway to be rezoned for industrial use

A long and narrow property at the corner of Highway 97 and McCurdy Road might be a good spot for a future light rail transit station, Coun. Ryan Donn says.

Donn was the only council member Monday to vote against rezoning the site on the north side of the highway from an agricultural classification to an industrial one.

The privately owned property is adjacent to the former railway line, now owned by the city for use as a long-distance recreation trail.

Officials have also said the corridor might one day be used for light rail transit, although that’s not expected to be viable for several decades given current population densities and commuter habits.

Given that any discussion of LRT possibilities is so far into the future, it would be “onerous and unfair” to the owner of the site to prevent the property’s use for industrial purposes, Coun. Charlie Hodge said.

Possible uses for the site are auto sales, equipment rentals, restaurants, service stations and commercial storage, council heard.

Whatever use emerges, Coun. Luke Stack said he hoped city officials would ensure the development is as attractive as possible. Luke said complaints about the unsightliness of the area are routine.

“I hear from many visitors coming to town that the strip from the airport down towards town is pretty rough-looking,” Stack said.

Council heard staff are working on a long-range planning report that will suggest what kinds of commercial activities might be encouraged along the railway corridor as it becomes a well-used hiking and biking trail.

“Midway through a bike ride, you could stop and have a sit-down, a drink and a picnic,” said Ryan Smith, a city planner.

But the site at the corner of McCurdy and the highway is unlikely to become such a pleasant rest stop for trail users, Smith said.

“That highway is busy and noisy. In terms of creating a public space, it’s probably less desirable than some other places along the corridor,” Smith said.