The Zehrs plaza in Owen Sound is going to look a lot different soon.
Owen Sound city council gave conditional site plan approval at its meeting Monday to Choice Properties for the development of a bank, drive-thru restaurant with patio and two retail spaces on the south end of the Zehrs lot on 16th Street East.
“It’s just another indication we have a lot going on in the town,” says Mayor Ian Boddy. “The planning department has been really busy … trying to attract businesses and development to the town seems to be working.”
“And we are still waiting for other things to be announced moving forward that will be announced soon,” continues Boddy. “There’s a lot going on.”
According to a report by junior city planner Justin Teakle, the bank would feature a drive-thru ATM and will be located immediately east of the Mobil gas bar.
The restaurant and retail spaces will be built in the southeast corner of the Zehrs lot, adjacent to the intersection of 16th Street East and 12th Avenue East.
The site plan also calls for the addition of 43 new parking spaces north of the gas bar and 12 parking spaces near the Zehrs garden centre.
New sidewalk connections will be developed along 16th Street East to access all the new buildings.
Director of Community Services Pam Coulter says construction is expected to begin late this summer.
It’s not yet know who will occupy the commercial spaces as Coulter says tenants have yet to be disclosed.