The Town of Cochrane has issued a building permit for a new car dealership next to the Ramada Cochrane on West Side Drive that will mean the end of Smitty's Restaurant at that location.

The land in question is highway commercial and is a permitted use. The permit approves its development for automotive sales, automotive repair shop and car wash. It is to be located at 2 and 6 West Side Drive. encompassing the current location of Smittys and the adjacent empty lot.

Westside Drive is also home to the bulk of Cochrane's motels and the balance is largely restaurants, like A & W, Dairy Queen, Tim Hortons, and the Cochrane Palace. Just south and west of the proposed car dealership is a skateboard park, ball diamonds and the Mitford Park. The new off-leash dog park is in front along Hwy. 22.

Residents have an opportunity to file an appeal if they believe they are impacted by the development, although the scope is rather small because it's a permitted use. Any appeal must relate to questions of interpretation, variance or relaxation and not to the proposed use.

Appeals must be submitted to the town's subdivision and development appeal board by 4:30 pm, on Aug. 2, 2018.

The project kicks the trend of Cochrane dealerships locating on River Heights Drive. Currently, Cochrane Toyota, Cochrane Dodge and Cochrane Nissan have created Cochrane's own auto row and NorthStar Ford plans to join them in the future.