Borden-Carleton residents speak out against prospect of 4th gas station in the town
‘We have 3 service stations in the area and there are 700 people’
Many residents from Borden-Carleton and the surrounding area showed up Monday night to share their concerns over a proposal to put a fourth gas station in their town.
Borden-Kinkora MLA Matt MacFarlane called the meeting to discuss an application by D.P. Murphy to build a new gas station on the corner of Dickie Road.
More than 100 people came out for the meeting at the Legion.
Jennifer Murray of North Tryon says she worries that if the new gas station is approved, it will jeopardize the two family-owned gas stations in the town, Ceretti's and Howatt's.
"It's that friendly face, as soon as you walk in the store, they know what you called in for and they know what you're there for," Murray said following the meeting.
"That's a real loss. We don't have that anymore."
'Why do we need four?'
D.P. Murphy, which owns the Tim Hortons, Wendy's and Boston Pizza franchises on P.E.I., is behind plans for the new gas station. If approved, it would include a 24/7 Irving gas station, Tim Hortons, convenience store, two retail spaces and EV charging stations.
In its application, D.P. Murphy said that while Borden-Carleton has a small population, the town serves as the "main entryway" to P.E.I., and many travellers pass through the town.
But Paul Dawson of Cape Traverse said a new gas station is not needed.
"Right now, we have three service stations in the area, and there are 700 people in the area. Why do we need four service stations?" asked Dawson.
"The [City] of Summerside, they have seven service stations serving 30,000 people. We don't need a fourth service station in the area."
'A shame to see that end'
Denise Robinson of Searleton also doesn't see the need for another gas station.
Robinson told people in the crowd how the locally owned gas stations continue to step up for the community, like when post-tropical storm Fiona hit the province. She said they opened their doors for people to get warm, charge their phones and get a coffee.
"They contribute so much to the community," she said. "It would be a shame to see that end."
We are very excited about the unique features our prospective development can bring to the community of Borden-Carleton... and our valued tourists.— D.P. Murphy statement
In a statement to CBC News, D.P. Murphy said it is respecting the processes of all regulatory and municipal authorities, adding, "We look forward to having our respective applications judged on its merits."
The company went on to say: "We are very excited about the unique features our prospective development can bring to the community of Borden-Carleton, Prince Edward Island, and our valued tourists given our property's distinctive location next to the Confederation Bridge. We know that these processes are essential to ensure that all aspects of development are considered and meet the applicable standards and requirements."
'I had concerns then'
The Island Regulatory and Appeals Commission is the body that would approve the application for the new gas station.
A hearing on the application is scheduled for May 13.
MacFarlane said he plans to forward the comments he heard to the commission. But public consultation is now over, so it's unclear whether the commissioners will even see those comments.
"It is slim, but the fact of the matter is that it's been almost two years since the public has had a chance to weigh in on this project. We're going back to June and July 2023," the MLA said.
"So my goal here this evening was to give a chance to the people of the town and the community to get caught up on the matter."
MacFarlane said he wrote a letter before he was elected as an MLA opposing the fourth gas station.
"I had concerns then," he said. "I'm taking a neutral position now, I'm here as a facilitator of the meeting, and as a messenger, to take the message to IRAC.
"Again, whether they hear it or listen to it that's not for me to say but my goal here this evening was to facilitate a public meeting and allow the chance for people's voices to be heard."
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