Will medical offices be allowed on Starrs Road?

It would represent a major shift in the Town of Yarmouth’s planning strategy.

Right now medical offices are only allowed downtown, according to the planning strategy and land-use by-law.

Yarmouth’s planning advisory committee is holding a public participation meeting Tuesday night on a number of applications.

They include spaces at the Yarmouth Mall, as well as 55 Starrs Road, and 77 Parade Street for medical office use.

Mayor Pam Mood says she’s heard from both sides of the argument, including the need for more healthcare options.

“And we’re also one of the few towns left that has an active downtown. It’s there because of the hard work of businesses to keep it there,” said Mayor Mood.

The public can have their say, the committee will then make a recommendation to council, who would debate it at future meetings.

Mood says all sides need to be at the table.

“So what comes from the public mixed from the values of council at a whole, that includes what the town needs to look like for it to survive, businesses, economics, all of that would be discussed.”