Cypress County council meets Tuesday morning - Photo by Charles Lefebvre

By Charles Lefebvre

Cypress County

County passes first reading of proposed greenhouse project

Feb 18, 2020 | 12:19 PM

DUNMORE, AB — Cypress County council has passed first reading of a bylaw to potentially add a greenhouse in the county, however residents in the area of the proposal say light pollution and increased traffic will impact their quality of life.

The motion passed 8-1 during Tuesday morning’s council meeting.

It’s the second proposal made by the company in the past year. A previous proposal totalling 10 acres in size was withdrawn in January before a public hearing.

Ruben’s Veggies are proposing a four-phase construction of a greenhouse located near the intersection of Hwy. 523 (Holsom Road) and Range Road 72, that would total 40 acres in size.

WHAT'S ON

Here is what's on this weekend in Medicine Hat and area: Dec. 13-15

Dec 14, 2024

IN THE COMMUNITY

Medicine Hat's Mustard Seed adding new shelter spaces at Alberta government's request

Dec 12, 2024

HOLIDAYS

Medicine Hat Kiwanis hosting Christmas dinner, applications due Friday

Dec 12, 2024

Each phase would be 10 acres in size, the company says, with only one phase being constructed this year.

Since the company announced the plan, neighbours in the area have written to Cypress County to share their disappointment with the proposal.

Sara Walker, who lives near the site of the proposed greenhouse, says if built, it would have a negative impact on her and her neighbours.

“Our understanding was we were moving to a rural location, and by that, I mean a place where you hear the cows moo, where the combines go by making dust, not a commercial operation such as a greenhouse, with that much potential light pollution and disruption to the way of life that we have out there,” she said on Tuesday.

Ron Bouthillier, another resident of the area, also echoed concerns about light pollution and increased traffic in the area.

“This is affecting my potential livelihood, in the sense that I’ve worked hard for this all my life,” she said. “I’ve come into this community on five acres to enjoy that type of lifestyle without having a moon crater light up a block away from me.”

Ruben’s Veggies says they’ve taken the issue of light from the greenhouse into consideration for their plans.

“Our newest proposal reduced the amount of proposed light greenhouse land from 52 Hectares to 27 Hectares,” said owner Chloe Veurink in an email to CHAT News. “The new proposal also includes a possible 4 phase build, however we will only be starting the first phase of 10-acres this year.

“The new proposal also includes a berm which will help block the view of the greenhouse from the nearest residences. 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. ”

A public hearing on the proposal is currently set for March 24 before council decides whether or not to approve the decision. Ruben’s Veggies has confirmed attendance, along with several residents of the area.

“There’s mixed emotions on both sides, so council has to really weigh the pros and cons, and go through what needs to be done to make the appropriate decision,” said Cypress County Reeve Dan Hamilton.

But, for Bouthillier and Walker, there is one ideal solution for them.

“I think a greenhouse like that should definitely be in another area, where there’s not a residential population base all the way around it,” said Bouthillier.

“Definitely for it to be declined in our neighbourhood, it’s not the right place for it,” said Walker, who added an ideal location would be in a greenhouse corridor proposed between the county, Redcliff and the city.