A new multi-million dollar plaza is coming to Petrolia along with one of the most famous franchises in the world.
Developer Wayne Zhang has been given approval to build a $4 million to $5 million plaza at the corner of Oil Heritage Road and Petrolia Line by Petrolia Council. It will include a Shell gas station, convenience store, car wash and a McDonald’s Restaurant.
A planning report to council shows the plaza will include enough parking for 57 cars. County planner Rob Nesbitt says there is still concern about traffic flow at the county level. He says those issues will be worked out in the next few weeks.
There was high praise at Petrolia council for the new project.
“We’re thrilled to hear it,” says Mayor Brad Loosley who was quick to add the former council, including Mayor John McCharles, were instrumental in getting the development to town.
There is still a lot of work to be done before the shovels go in the ground.

The project began to move forward when McDonald’s committed to opening a franchise inside the plaza.
The gas bar will be a Shell. There is already a Shell on the corner. Officials would not say if it would continue to exist. Shell 21 Owner Joe Van Dun says the company is pulling his franchise once the new plaza opens. He plans to remain open.

For more, pick up The Independent on newsstands Wednesday