A car dealership is seeking a development permit to replace the Smitty's Restaurant and the vacant lot next door on Westside Drive that runs parallel to Hwy. 22.

Drew Hyndman, Cochrane's Senior Manager of Development Services, confirms an application has been received and they recently provided the applicant with some comments and the dealership is currently working through the required process.

A car dealership is a permitted use under the town's definition of highway commercial and unless a variance is requested beyond what can be approved by the town's planning department it likely won't be appearing before the Municipal Planning Commission or town council, he explains.

For example, he said, if they request more than a 10 per cent variance on parking requirements it would likely land before the planning commission.

Should a development permit be approved it is advertised and those with concerns have a two-week window in which to express concerns. They also have the right to appeal the approval of the permit but would need to lay down some money and then prove there's reason to deny the permit.

Chamber of Commerce president Bill Popplewell says the business community welcomes the dealership but believes it's important for the town to make sure residents are aware of what's in the works.

"I just want to know that prior to issuing any permits that the public is aware of what's going to be built over there and are not being notified after the fact."

He suspects many nearby residents are unaware of the application, nor are the many users of the nearby recreational facilities and parkland.

Popplewell says he has been concerned for some time about the procedure currently used by the town in issuing development permits when it comes to public notification and consultation and hopes it's one of the procedures addressed in the Land-Use Bylaw rewrite now underway.

Westside Drive is home to Cochrane's largest motels and the balance is largely restaurants, like A & W, Dairy Queen, Tim Hortons, and the Cochrane Palace. Just south and west of the proposed car dealership is a skateboard park, ball diamonds and the Mitford Park.

The bulk of Cochrane auto dealerships have relocated to River Heights Drive. Currently, Cochrane Toyota and Cochrane Dodge are located along the strip and a new Nissan dealership is nearing completion.