Proposed Tim Hortons drive-thru draws concerns from Parkhill Road residents in Peterborough

Residents and councillors representing a subdivision off Parkhill Road West in Peterborough are voicing concerns about a proposed plaza and drive-thru for the area.

The area in question has been zoned as commercial in the subdivision between Brealey Drive and Ravenwood Drive, and includes plans for a restaurant.

A developer plans to put a Tim Hortons in that location, complete with the standard Timmies’ drive-thru.

And that’s not sitting well with local resident Galen Eagle.

“Residents definitely have an issue about whether this is an appropriate location to begin with,” Eagle said.

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "Residents definitely have an issue about whether this is an appropriate location to begin with," Eagle said.

The proposed development would be built right at the entrance to the subdivision. It’s the only way in and out of the area. But Eagle said his chief concern isn’t with the restaurant, but the timing of construction.

Parkhill Road in that area is set to undergo major construction, which includes widening the road. The city is behind on the repairs, and the work could take upwards of two years — something Eagle said residents have been waiting for years.

“Residents have been waiting for significant improvements to this roadway,” he said. “It’s a dangerous section of road. And now we’re being told while we await those improvements, we may have a green light on a busy drive-thru, which will bring more stress and traffic to the area.”

Monaghan Ward Coun. Henry Clarke agrees.

“It’s right at the only exit and entrance to an entire subdivision, which is not yet to urban standards — there’s no stoplight system there,” Clarke said.

Clarke said Parkhill Road will be reduced to one lane, or shut down altogether as crews repair the road. But the developer wants to begin construction on the plaza by the end of March.

Clarke wants to delay construction on the project and said the road restrictions would mean that few would be able to access the plaza and Tim Hortons for several months.

“They may really want to think about that if there’s going to be virtually no one, other than the residents in the subdivision, able to even get to the area,” he said.

Council still has to approve the site plan for the area. It returns to council on March 19.