IRAC hears about potential gains and losses from new 24/7 gas station in Borden-Carleton
People pack Charlottetown room for Day 1 of hearings on D.P. Murphy proposal
So many people packed into the hearing room at the Island Regulatory and Appeals Commission's office in Charlottetown on Tuesday that officials had to turn some away.
They were there to show support for two Borden-Carleton gas station owners, Chad Ceretti from Ceretti's Grocery and Hardware and Chad Howatt of Howatt's Shell.
They're fighting D.P. Murphy's plans to build a gas station near the Confederation Bridge in the western Prince Edward Island gateway community that already hosts three gas stations. IRAC is the body that would grant the gas station licence.
Murphy's proposal includes a 24-hour Irving gas station, a Tim Hortons restaurant, and two 3,000-square-foot retail spaces in addition to hundreds of parking spaces for cars and big trucks and some EV charging stations.
Tuesday's discussions were dominated by what could be gained — or lost — if this proposal goes ahead.
Danny Murphy, president of D.P. Murphy, talked about the current state of Borden-Carleton, describing rusted steel fencing, uncut grass and the still-hanging signs of businesses long shuttered
"I'd give it a six out of 10," the businessman told commissioners Kerri Carpenter, Terry McKenna and Gordon MacFarlane.
Murphy says he wants to be part of a development that transforms Borden-Carleton, drawing connections to Disney and asking why there isn't a giant Anne of Green Gables statue welcoming people as they get off the bridge from New Brunswick.
His vision includes a "Welcome Plaza" with what he described as a "truly iconic" Canadian brand, Tim Hortons, anchoring the development and operating 24/7.
He said it would be a place for people to go at all hours, and for truckers to park and find a place to eat and grab a coffee at times when the nearby Confederation Bridge is closed to big trucks because of bad weather.
But there's been pushback in the community. More than 400 people have emailed IRAC to say they don't want another gas station in their town.
Many of those email writers were at the hearing Tuesday.
The lawyer for Ceretti's, Ryan MacDonald, said another gas station in the town would have "detrimental" effects that include the closure of Ceretti's.
MacDonald pointed out that the new development does not include full grocery options, hardware, or a meat counter, like Ceretti's does. The lawyer said those services will be lost to townspeople if the new gas station puts Ceretti's out of business.
MacDonald also argued that Murphy could proceed with his development without selling gas.
In his remarks to the commissioners, Murphy said he doesn't believe his development will put anybody out of business. He said he believes there will be more business overall in Borden-Carleton with this new development, saying that right now, a lot of people drive through the community without stopping.
Murphy said Prime Minister Mark Carney's campaign promise to lower the Confederation Bridge toll to $20 will only increase traffic going through Borden-Carleton.
"They also have longtime loyal customers who will continue to support their local gas stations," Murphy said of his future competitors.
His proposal had its own supporters, represented in the form of letters from Robert Irving of Cavendish Farms, Andrew Keith from SFX Transport, and Corryn Clemence from the Tourism Industry Association of Prince Edward Island.
The commission also heard from an expert witness from the accounting firm Deloitte Canada.
Deloitte's Chris Robertson took a look at current and projected gas sales, traffic and population growth trends and determined that the town can support another gas station.
D.P. Murphy paid for that report, and Ceretti's lawyers challenged some of the numbers.
The hearing continues Wednesday.
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