Image: Mike Vanden Bosch / PML / The Rosedale Popkum Village, as it is formally known, is rapidly progressing under construction at 52964 Yale Road. The developer of the project has now updated the list of additional merchants to include dental and grocery (new), along with health and beauty (unchanged). The FVRD board was set to vote Thursday on a request from developer of the property to have a 7.62-metre tall advertising sign built on the western edge of the property at 52964 Yale Road in Popkum.

By Mike Vanden Bosch

Popkum shopping centre on Yale Rd.

Rosedale Popkum Village now includes plans for grocery and dental

Apr 28, 2023 | 8:28 AM

CHILLIWACK — About five months ago, relying on information from its building department, Fraser Valley Regional District staff indicated the upcoming Starbucks and DQ commercial development in Popkum, at 52964 Yale Road, would have four commercial retail units designated as health, phone, beauty and “Iris.”

However, in documents attached to the Fraser Valley Regional District board meeting held Thursday, April 27, the developer of the property has now labeled the four additional businesses as health, phone, dental and grocery.

The FVRD board was slated to vote on a development permit variance Thursday that would allow the developer to build a 7.62-metre tall pylon advertising sign on the western periphery of the property along Highway 9. The developer needed a variance since the normal sign allowance was much smaller. Given the number of businesses (at least six) they need to advertise at the shopping centre, the developer sought a variance. The signs are similar to signs advertising nearby Petro Canada and Esso.

The proponent applied for a development permit to build the 7.62-metre tall advertising sign. The development permit application cost $1,300, FVRD documents indicate, and has already been paid by the applicant.

If the development ends up having a grocery store, it would be the second grocery store in the Rosedale-Popkum vicinity. The nearest grocery retailer is Rosedale Grocery at 51318 Yale Road, about three kilometres away. After that, the next nearest grocery store is in Agassiz 10 kilometres away.

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The development is progressing rapidly ahead of an expected August 2023 opening date for the Starbucks drive-through location. The coffee giant has been advertising on Indeed seeking baristas and shift supervisor team leaders for the upcoming store opening.

An email has been sent to the developer behind the property, Rhee Ga Properties, seeking information about the four commercial businesses that will be joining the shopping centre.

Commercial realtor Jay Lee, whose name appears on signage outside the development under construction, thanked a reporter Friday morning via text for an inquiry and said he would get back to a reporter once he had more information to share.