The city has issued a conditional permit for a combination KFC, Taco Bell and Starbucks, and the project's architect, Wayne Guy, says they hope to break ground as early as July.
Yellowknifers who mourned the loss of the city's downtown KFC location can expect a new franchise to be built uptown alongside a Taco Bell and Starbucks.
It took less than a minute for the city to vote in favour unanimously to approve the Old Airport Road development permit and include the city's traffic study recommendations.
The city will make adjustments to a left turning lane on Old Airport and Range Lake Roads as a result of the proposed development and existing deficiencies.
The estimated cost for the left hand turn extension is $100,000 to be covered 37 per cent by the developer. The city will contribute up to $63,000 once the work has been completed.
The wait for the three franchises – owned by Soul Restaurants Canada, an arm of U.K.-based Soul Foods Group – will depend on how fast the city moves to provide the development permits and accept the drawings, said Guy.
At a municipal services council meeting earlier that day, councillors discussed concerns about any possible congestion created by access to the three locations, and ruled out the use of a city right-of-way alley that currently services as an emergency access for Northland Utilities.
The project architect, Wayne Guy of Guy Architects waited for the approval, which was passed at the end of Monday's council in a matter of minutes.
“It was a green light to say that use on that land is permitted. So now we can actually get a development permit to do the development on the lot,” said Guy.
Guy Architects are working with Soul Restaurants to assemble the development permit drawings.
Clark Builders will project manage the development.
“We'd like to break ground certainly in July so we'd like to get going really soon,” said Guy.
The franchises will be a welcome development for the city, said Chamber of Commerce executive director Deneen Everett in an interview with Yellowknifer.
“It's always an exciting time when new businesses are opening in Yellowknife,” said Everett.
“Competition is a good thing. When we see a Starbucks opening, I don't see that as a huge concern for our coffee shops here because I think businesses here that maybe are competing with the large chains are filling a niche market."
Everett suggested consumers "looking for something different," will consider some of the more locally owned and operated small businesses.