MOUNTAIN VIEW COUNTY - The county's municipal planning commission (MPC) has approved a business agri-tourism development permit for a new seasonal farmers' market southeast of Sundre.
The move came by way of motion at the commission’s recent regularly scheduled meeting.
The property involved is located on Highway 582 and Rge. Rd. 42 at SW 26-31-4-5 in the Harmattan rural community,
The owner is TOMCO Enterprises Ltd., and the applicant is Gerald Ingeveld.
“The applicant is proposing to use the north portion of the property separated by a fence,” administration said in a briefing note to the commission. “This includes a 15,000 square-foot existing building for indoor space (previously used in the processing of hay) and 30,000 square feet of outdoor spaces for vendors to come and sell their locally-grown and crafted wares to the community.
“The southern portion of the property issued for agriculture purposes and will remain as such. There will be no public occupancy granted into the southern area with issuance of this permit.”
The landowner farms grain and hay in the Harmattan area and recently added vegetables to the rotations, beginning with potatoes, and intends on introducing carrots and garlic in the upcoming year, members heard.
“The property was purchased to provide the processing and storage buildings for those vegetables and close access to the highway for distribution. The volume of vegetables the landowner hopes to market is greater than what the local market in Bergen or Sundre can handle, and a market close to Highway 22 could provide the needed customer traffic.”
The applicant is proposing to call the seasonal farmers' market the Cowboy Trail Farmer’s Market, which would be open Saturdays and Sundays from May to October.
“The applicant anticipates up to 1,000 customer visits per day once the business is up and running. The business will have up to five employees, all of whom live offsite and will travel for the farmers' market operation.
“Material used for the business will be up to 100 folding tables and chairs, some picnic tables, vendor signs and temporary fencing.”
Administration recommended acceptance of the application, with the municipal development plan supporting “encouraging innovative, sustainable and diversified agricultural activities such as this” and with the operational department stating the existing roads at the site can accommodate a development of this type.
The approval comes with a number of conditions, including that the applicant meet any standards and obtain any approvals required from Alberta Health Services and adhere to a farmers' market food permit from Alberta Health Services obtained prior to opening the market.
Another condition states that hours of operation will be 4 to 7 p.m., excluding vendor set up and take down, Saturdays and Sundays, May 1 to Oct. 31 annually.
The applicant is also required to work with the nearby Harmattan gas plant on emergency response planning.
The MPC is the county’s approving authority, made up of councillors and appointed public members.
