Cypress County gives greenhouse green light

By COLLIN GALLANT on July 9, 2020.

cgallant@medicinehatnews.com@CollinGallant

Following a five-hour hearing Tuesday, Cypress County council narrowly approved a land-use change to allow a major greenhouse development over objections of nearby acreage owners.

Ruben’s Veggies had applied twice to build the new facility near Highway 523 and Range Road 72, west of Medicine Hat, and this week a scaled-down proposal passed by a 5-4 vote.

More than 50 residents formally opposed the land change, from A1 (general agriculture zone) to A4, needed to eventually build 40 acres of greenhouses on part of one quarter section that also includes seven residential lots.

Those owners and others from two nearby country residential subdivisions argued modern greenhouses are more like an industrial development and out of step with the area.

They were concerned about property values, quality of life from increased traffic and activity, plus light pollution.

Chloe Veurink, of Ruben’s, argued during the hearing that Cypress County, in an agricultural region, and agricultural producers should not be limited even when more residential land uses are present.

On Wednesday, she told the News that the development won’t be as problematic as the homeowners argued.

“Once people see it in operation they will see it’s not going to be the problem they think it is,” she told the News.

“We’re going to follow through on the proposal. There were concerns about light, and we’re installing blackout curtains. There were concerns about compost and we’ve (addressed that).”

Neighbouring homeowner Craig Elder, who spearheaded an opposition campaign that included legal representation, said the county needs to develop strong policies about where development can proceed to avoid controversy, and needs to follow through by placing strict conditions on development permits.

“We’re reviewing all avenues,” said Elder.

“At the end of the day we’re not against development, but like anything else, you should find the right place for it… We didn’t move there thinking there would be a massive greenhouse built on our doorstep.”

The plan presented in the zoning application dealt with this week states Ruben’s could eventually build a series of four 10-acre greenhouses, but initially begin with one, furthest away from residences, and potentially include a berm on the edge of the property to shield homes.

Craig Marshall, who lives 800 metres from the site, says he and his wife grew up in a rural community chose the location because of its rural feel and pasture for their horses.

“(The greenhouse) is the further thing from traditional agriculture,” he said, adding that he is worried about how Cypress County will follow through on restrictions during the permit stage.

“We have no assurance what that will look like.”

Greenhouses within the flight path of the Medicine Hat Regional Airport are required to have shaded tops and sides, and Marshall would like that to be expanded.

In lengthy submissions on Tuesday, neighbours argued vehemently that light, noise and traffic would detract from their quality of life and homes, which were built in subdivisions mostly between the 1990s and 2010.

The parcel in question is currently irrigated and includes a Veurink family residence, but the water rights will eventually supply the growing complex.

Coun. Robin Kurpjuweit said that with 50 submissions in opposition against only the applicant in favour, he wouldn’t support the change.

“I struggle with what these public hearing are for,” he told council, adding that conflict seems “inherent” when siting new greenhouse developments. “There are two sides to consider.”

Coun. Richard Oster said the county has been successful in solving problems in other locations with restrictions and guidelines for things like blackout curtains.

“Once the problems was identified – that there was a huge amount of light going up in the sky – we wrote a policy, passed a bylaw and it doesn’t happen anymore,” said Oster. “Council has done its job. And nobody has acknowledged that.”

An initial 10-acre phase of growing space would double the operation of Ruben’s, which currently has a greenhouse in Redcliff. Added production would supply the chain of veggie huts in Medicine Hat and Lethbridge, as well as be taken on by RedHat growers Co-op. Additional phases would be brought on as need arises, said Veurink.

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