The Mountain View County municipal planning commission has approved a development permit for a proposed facility to produce and process hops in the Dogpound neighbourhood.
The approval came during the commission’s recent regularly scheduled meeting.
Members approved the permit for agricultural processing – Chickadee Hill Farm Ltd., as well as one commercial sign.
The property involved is located about one kilometre north of Twp. Rd. 292 on Rge. Rd. 40 in the Dogpound neighbourhood.
“The applicant is proposing to build one accessory building which will be where the harvested hops will be processed and prepared for sale,” administration said in a briefing note. “This development is proposed to be Alberta’s largest hops producer, starting with 10 acres in 2018 and expanding in later years. Hops sales to Alberta Craft breweries will commence in fall 2019.
“The hops will be trained to grow upwards on a trellis system of power poles and aircraft cables. The plants will potentially grow six to 10 inches per day in the growing season.”
During the 20 days of harvest, the hours of operation may be up to 24 hours a day, members heard.
The accessory building will be a steel structure used to store tractors, trucks, a baler, a pelletizer and other equipment.
The permit comes with a number of conditions, including the following: any future expansion of the business, site area, or additional employees will require the issuance of a new development permit; that the applicant obtains and conforms to all provincial legislation requirements when conducting the hops processing business; that the applicant conforms to the waste water licence issued by Alberta Environment when discharging water onto the subject property.
Meanwhile, the commission (MPC) has approved a development permit for a proposed retail store.
The property involved is located at the intersection of Highway 27 and Rge. Rd. 22 (at SW 2-33-2-5) in the Hainstock rural community.
Commission members voted to approve the business, agri-tourism and change of use for an existing building application.
“The Room Outside Market will be located on the main level of the building and provide a retail store for clothing, boutique, handmade wooden items, handmade paper items and handmade crocheted items,” administration said in a briefing note to the commission.
“In addition, the business will include a coffee shop that also provides baked goods.”
The approval comes with a number of conditions, including the following: future expansion, work area or additional employees, will require a new development permit; outside storage related to the business is not permitted; the landowner and/or applicant shall meet any standards and obtain any approvals required from Alberta Health Services.
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