Image: Mike Vanden Bosch / Pattison Media / 46604 First Avenue in Chilliwack, the site of a proposed two-storey veterinary clinic across from auto repair shop Broadway Motors. Chilliwack City Council will consider a development variance permit application and development permit for the site at its meeting Tuesday afternoon, November 5. 
Development application

Chilliwack council to consider application to build 2-storey veterinary clinic

Nov 4, 2024 | 9:06 AM

CHILLIWACK — Chilliwack councillors will consider a development permit application to construct a two-storey veterinary clinic at its meeting Tuesday afternoon (Nov. 5) on the site of a former supermarket, across from auto repair shop Broadway Motors.

According to a City of Chilliwack staff report from planner Joty Rai, the applicant behind the project at 46604 First Avenue in Chilliwack is seeking approval to vary zoning bylaw standards to facilitate the construction of a new commercial development on the subject property. The applicant is also seeking approval for the form and character of a new commercial development within the subject property.

The proposal from Guliker Design Group, listed as item 13.2 on Tuesday’s agenda, asks council to approve the form and character of a new veterinary clinic for Menzies Pet Hospital, which currently operates at another location, 9701 Menzies Street. As a part of the development project, the applicant is looking to renovate and construct a second storey addition to the existing building on the property.

The city staff report suggests portions of the existing building will be demolished to provide space for parking, maneuvering, landscaping, and to bring the building into compliance with the required 2.4-meter supplementary setback along Broadway for future road widening. The project also consists of eight off-street parking spaces (though 10 are required), four bicycle parking spaces and 10 trees. The applicant has asked the City of Chilliwack to waive the requirement for 10 off-street parking spaces.

According to the city staff report, the property at 46604 First Avenue is situated within the Neighbourhood Commercial zone, thereby limiting small animal veterinary uses to a maximum gross floor area of 200 square meters. The applicant has asked to increase the max permitted floor area from 200 square meters to 470 square meters, as the 200 square meter limitation is not considered viable for a full service animal vet clinic. The applicant says the demand for their animal care services exceeds their current capacity, and they wish to construct a larger facility to be able to meet this demand and provide an essential service for the local community in what’s considered a convenient neighborhood location.

Image: City of Chilliwack via Guliker Design Group / Renderings for a proposed two-storey veterinary clinic at 46604 First Avenue in Chilliwack.

B.C. Assessment lists the property as 10,223 square feet in size. It was purchased in February 2021 for $980,000 and more recently, in December 2022 for $2,075,000. The corner lot once housed Broadway Supermarket several decades ago.

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