Several Lacombe residents dropped by an open house last night, to find out what changes to Popow and Sons Auto Wrecking on 46th Street will mean to surrounding businesses and future development.

Popow's is looking to streamline their operations out of one location, by opening towing and body shops next to their current auto wrecking shop which would also be renovated.

That move will mean Lacombe's Southeast Area Structure Plan (SEASP) will need to be changed slightly.

Jason Bell with Tricon says talks about why the changes are needed, and what they'll be doing.

"The idea is that we'll spruce up the buildings along 46th street. It's still going to be an industrial area, but they're just applying a few more commercial standards to the buildings. If we get all the approvals and rezoning done this spring. Then we'll do the facelifting on the auto wrecking shop this summer. The rest would probably then be finished over the following year or so."

City of Lacombe Planner, Jennifer Kirchner says they've seen businesses in the downtown look to upgrade their facilities, but this is one of the first time they've seen a light industrial business do it.

"Instead of encouraging heavy industrial sites like this to leave, we want to encourage them if they're going to stay, to upgrade and improve what they already have. Popow's would be one of the first businesses in this area that would be taking that step to transform their industrial site into something of a higher standard and quality for the area."

They're still looking for public feedback before they give Tricon the green light to move in and start work.

If you missed the open house you can fill out a survey by clicking on the link below.

There will also be a full draft of the amendments being made to the Southeast Area Structure Plan.

http://www.lacombe.ca/doing-business/planning-and-development-services/what-s-new/southeast-area-structure-plan-amendments-open-house