By Alex McCuaig

Greenhouse application

New greenhouse development proposed for Holsom Road

Feb 16, 2020 | 4:19 PM

CYPRESS COUNTY, AB – A new proposed greenhouse development along Holsom Road will be discussed at Tuesday’s Cypress County council meeting.

The new development comes on the heels of a previous land-use amendment request first moved in November on the same property which saw a number of objections from residents of a nearby county residential sub-division.

But Chloe Veurink, one of the owners of Ruben’s Veggie stressed, “this isn’t Marble Farms,” adding the greenhouse’s setbacks from homes is well beyond Cypress County’s requirements and blackout blinds will reduce light pollution. Additionally, a berm will be built to help deal with the light issue.

“Unlike other greenhouse developments in the area this proposal will also include extensive black-out curtains, limiting the amount of light released from the greenhouse,“ said Veurink.

A public hearing on that application scheduled for earlier this month was not held following the applicant, Ruben’s Veggies, cancelling its application.

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Both the new and previous land-use amendment for the property located near the intersection of Hwy. 523 (Holsom Road) and Range Road 72 were filed on behalf of Ruben’s Veggies which operates greenhouses in Redcliff.

However, the new application involves a four phase build out of the facility with each phase comprised of a 10-acre greenhouse.

Veurink says despite this, Ruben`s is only looking to start with one phase and the total amount of lit greenhouse land will be reduced from the original 52 hectares to 27 hectares.

Written concerns filed with the county about the original proposal included impacts to quality of life for those living near the greenhouse, primarily due to light pollution.

According to the background information provided in the council package on the issue, BRB Farms Ltd. is listed as the current owner of the property. According to the county’s 2014 ownership map, the land was previously owned by Ruben Greenhouse.

The new proposal falls outside of the inter-municipal development plan which proposes a greenhouse corridor south of the Medicine Hat Regional Airport.