Kimberley city council did not pass second reading of a Marysville rezoning bylaw that would have brought a Mcdonald’s to the community.
The proposal was for a McDonald’s, car wash and gas station on the land of the Marysville Storage.
A public hearing was held last month which saw a lot of opposition from community members.
Council received 95 pieces of written correspondence and one petition with 424 signatures before the hearing and a further 164 pieces of written and verbal submissions during the hearing.
Councillor Sue Cairns was against the proposal.
“A tax base is important, but by itself it does not make for a strong community,” said Cairns.
“The effect on our taxes has not been quantified properly or in any kind of unbiased way.”
Councillor Sandra Roberts voted in favour of the proposal and says the discourse has brought out the worst in people.
“I am absolutely astonished at the amount of hysteria, misinformation, bullying and disrespect that this issue has brought out in the community,” she said.
“I’m stunned. I have never seen another issue ever that has brought out the worst in people and I am standing back agast.”
After over an hour of discussion, the rezoning was shot down in a close vote.
Councillors Cairns, Jason McBain, Woody Maguire and Kevin Dunnebacke all voted against it.
Mayor Don McCormick, councillors Steven Royer and Roberts voted for it.
The complete discussion around the proposed rezoning can be found in last nights council meeting here.