MOUNTAIN VIEW COUNTY - County council has given first reading to bylaw 18-19 re-designating lands at the Aurora Cannabis facility northwest of Cremona.
The move came during the recent regularly scheduled council meeting. Council also set the public hearing date for the proposed bylaw amendment.
The purpose of the re-designation is to amend the existing direct control district bylaw No. 13/16 – Section 17.17 of the land use bylaw to allow an expansion. The property involved is located at NE 20-30-4-5 and plan 1210814, block 1, lot 2.
The amendment involves a number of changes, including re-designating 54 acres from agricultural 2 district to agricultural district, 43 acres from direct control district to agricultural district, 5.91 acres from direct control district to country residential district, one acre from agricultural district 2 to direct control district, and 1.5 acres from agricultural 2 district to country residential district.
The proposed expansion would include the addition of a new 23,000-square-foot third bay, about 8,000 square feet of mezzanine office, and about 10,000 square feet of separate, secured warehouse storage.
The purpose of bylaw No. 18/19 reads: “Particular and site specific regulation of an existing 55,000-square- foot federal and/or provincially licensed cannabis production facility and its expansion, including expansion of the existing processing and office building, a warehouse storage building, enhanced water, surface water, wastewater and stormwater management facilities, emergency response capabilities, road access and private driveway, parking and on-site servicing, and accessory buildings and uses.”
A letter from Alberta Environment and Parks regarding the proposed re-designation states, in part, that, “a Water Act approval will be required for any proposed disturbances to wetlands from the proposed development and/or access road and for any changes or alterations in overland drainage or water courses.”
It also says that a Water Act licence, transfer or amendment will be required for any changes in groundwater diversions or in the location of groundwater wells.
A letter from Alberta Health Service regarding the proposed re-designation, states, in part, that consideration be given to “the types and volume of chemicals, such as pesticides, solvents, cleaning products and fertilizers, that will be stored onsite for the purpose of cannabis growing and processing.
“Ensure that proposed method and location of chemical storage, utilization and disposal does not create hazardous conditions for the facility or adjacent properties.”
Three letters of objection have been received regarding the proposed changes, with the writers outlining concerns with traffic and visual impacts, water usage, lighting impact and vehicle access.
“This proposed re-designation will likely further intrude on the peaceful rural county beauty that was the reason that we chose to relocate and put our life savings into our property,” one letter reads.
“We are abhorrent of the possibility of expansion. This type of business belongs in an industrial park type of situation, not ‘smack-dab’ in the middle of where Mountain View citizens have worked their lifetimes to develop their peaceful farming, ranching or country residential homes.”
Another letter writer states, in part, that, “We are concerned that the county is not considering the long-term effects of this facility on the surrounding landowners.”
In a letter responding to the letters of concern, the applicant said, in part, that, “the proposed expansion provides better work spaces for all staff, better change rooms and shipping areas. There is a minimal increase in product growing space. By adhering to the county guidelines for lighting and landscaping the visual impact of the expanded facility should be minimized.”
The complete re-designation package, including the letters of concern and response, is available on the county’s website.
Council set Nov. 27 as the public hearing date for the proposed re-designation.
