By Laurie Watt

Barrie is opting to rezone industrial land to commercial to keep Princess Auto in the city and pave the way for a long-awaited Bryne Drive connection.

Councillors decided to rezone three acres Monday night despite advice from city planners to hold off until the city studies its employment land supply.

The vacant land is just north of The Brick across from Harley Davidson.

“Staff have said this is premature. It’s not about where we will locate Princess Auto and Bryne Drive. This is about converting employment lands. The province is telling us this is a premature decision,” said Ward 6 Coun. Michael Prowse.

“Why are we rushing on this three acres? We’re being told it will clear up all our (south-end) troubles, traffic will move and the sun will shine. We’re going to trade a rezoning for a road. This is not the way the City of Barrie does business.”

But Ward 7 Coun. John Brassard said the city has to fast track the rezoning to keep a growing business in town and keep development and traffic moving.

“We know how important Bryne Drive is and will be in terms of the future development in that area,” he said of the planned north-south link on the west side of Highway 400. He added the site is “an industrial zoned island in a sea of commercial.”

Brassard had previously stressed the need to accommodate Princess Auto, which is outgrowing its current location. Now with 36 employees, the company is planning to expand and hire another 21 workers.

Planning consultant Gary Bell explained customer demand is forcing the popular parts and tool store to move so it can expand. The company narrowed its choices down to three locations – all zoned industrial, rather than commercial. The issue went to a public meeting in June, and the company has addressed its neighbours’ concerns – all before the city began talking about a comprehensive review.

It would complete a corner that is three-quarters commercial, Bell added, and begin connecting Bryne Drive with its northern leg near Essa Road.

Developer Marty Caplan told council the rezoning makes sense.

“I have been working for Barrie for over 25 years. I have always done the right thing. I consider myself the father of the south-end,” Caplan said.

“I am now 75 years old and do not want to get caught up in this issue for a year. It’s good business for Barrie.”