It looks like Wiarton will be getting a new grocery store.
South Bruce Peninsula council voted 3-2 in favour of bringing forward the necessary bylaws that would give the green light to Sobeys to build a new 30,000 sq ft Foodland grocery store at the south end of Wiarton.
The proposal has been in the planning stages for over two years due to concerns from residents upset over the proposed location of the store in a largely residential area off Hwy. 6.
Mayor Janice Jackson says big developments are rarely met with unconditional support from the community, but adds her belief is that the majority of residents in Wiarton support the construction of the store.
"There are people that are opposed to it. I think no matter where you put a new development, you're always going to have people who are uncomfortable with it. I think as a council, we need to look at what's best for the town moving forward," says Jackson.
Phil Lavallee represents developer Ros-Bay Developments and says there's a sense of relief to have a conclusion in sight after working on the project for so long.
He says if all goes smoothly from here, they will look to begin construction in late June, with the goal of having the store open in November.
South Bruce Peninsula council will consider bylaws to remove holding symbols from the properties and to approve the site plan agreement at its next meeting on April 21.
