A used auto dealership has received approval to operate at the site of a former service station, albeit for a shorter period.
Allen Thebeau had applied to the city for approval for his A&S Auto Sales to be located at 4937 54th Ave. — the former location of Riverside Exxon Car Wash. A&S Auto Sales had operated at 3410 Gaetz Ave. since July 2007, but was forced to move when Shell Canada sold it.
Red Deer’s municipal planning commission considered the application on March 2, but decided to table the matter so that it could determine if such a use might lead to future conflicts with the Greater Downtown Action Plan. It also wanted to ascertain if the site was contaminated.
Although Thebeau was seeking a five-year approval to operate on the site, the commission voted to limit the timeline to two years. However, Thebeau was told he could apply for an extension after two years if no conflicting plans for the area were being pursued at that time.