Planners back rezoning for Greyhound station
Proposed bus-depot move worries nearby residents and businesses
City planners are backing a controversial plan to rezone land north of Yellowhead Trail where Greyhound wants to move its bus terminal.
The lease on the downtown bus station expires in May 2016 and the company is considering shifting passenger service to its maintenance yard at 12521 123rd St.
In a report released Thursday, city staff support the proposed rezoning of the 1.7-hectare site, saying it meets the objectives of plans for the area.
The development would also be compatible with existing and proposed uses for nearby land and meets city technical requirements, the report indicates.
Specific construction plans would still require a development permit.
About 80 residents and business owners complained at a meeting last June a passenger depot on the company-owned property could create problems.
They’re concerned about increased traffic, congestion from buses using narrow roads, especially in winter, and a shortage of public transit.
But Grey hound argues most people will arrive by taxi or car and the facility will boost traffic on local roads by less than one per cent, the report says.
Transportation staff have determined the road can accommodate the proposed light industrial uses, it says.
A zoning hearing is set for Nov. 3. Greyhound officials couldn’t be reached for comment.
The city has worked with the firm on almost 30 possible sites, including downtown, along Calgary Trail-Gateway Boulevard, and near current or future LRT stations.
One option discussed earlier this year was moving the terminal and garage to 75th Street beside the planned Davies station on the southeast LRT line.
The report doesn’t indicate whether this is still being considered.