ONTARIO — A new business complex is coming to Ontario. Owner, Grant Giltz says the 8,900 square-foot space will house a nationally-known windshield repair shop and up to five other businesses.
“We have a lot of interested parties, but the one that has committed so far is SafeLite Auto Glass,” Giltz said.
The Ontario Planning Commission granted a conditional zoning permit and two variance requests for the complex on Wednesday night.
The complex will be located in the cul-de-sac on Briggs Drive behind the existing strip mall on August Drive and across from the Home Depot.
“We originally developed the Home Depot years ago,” Giltz said.
A national pizza chain is also considering the location, but hasn’t committed. He anticipates the space will fill within a year after construction is complete.
“We’d like to get the national (tenants), but we’d like to get good regional tenants as well and strong local tenants,” Giltz said.
Construction on the nearly $600,000 project will likely begin within 60 to 90 days or as soon as all necessary permits are obtained. It should be completed by spring 2018.
“(SafeLite) would like to get going right away,” Giltz said.
Engineer Mark Rufener, of K.E. McCartney and Associates, asked for permission to construct two driveways and to have a portion of the parking lot in a space typically left undeveloped in case of flooding. A culverted creek runs nearby. None of the building is in the space.
Both were approved unanimously.
“Thank you for the second drive, the fire department appreciates that,” said Ontario Mayor Randy Hutchinson during the meeting.
Giltz said obtaining a building permit is the next step.
The new business complex got underway when SafeLite approached him.
The other available spaces are what he calls “flexible.”
“Say Joe the Plumber wants to have a shop there, but wants a little bit of retail presence, he can have that,” Giltz said.
Hutchinson said he is happy to bring in new businesses to the community.
“The more choices we have, the more people will come in and support our local economy,” he said.
