Holsom Road resident Holly Turnbull says she's upset with the public hearing format which Cypress County will be hosting next week over a contentious greenhouse development. (CHAT News photo)

By Alex McCuaig

Industrial operation

Contentious greenhouse development debate heating up again

Jul 3, 2020 | 1:55 PM

CYPRESS COUNTY, AB – A contentious greenhouse development in Cypress County will be the focus of a public hearing to be heard on Tuesday.

The proposal by Redcliff’s Reuben’s Veggies would see the better part of a quarter section off Holsom Road rezoned from general agriculture to greenhouse agriculture.

But the move has drawn loud criticisms from neighbouring homeowners in a county residential sub-division who argue the light from the greenhouse will disruptive. Others are supportive of the economic development it will bring to the region.

Holsom Road resident Holly Turnbull falls in the former category.

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She says the greenhouse, which could reach more than 160,000 square metres in size, amounts to an industrial operation right next to a county residential sub-division. It’s an operation she says will not only affect her small orchard and farm animals but people due to excess light from the greenhouse.

But it’s also the process for the public hearing on the rezoning which won’t allow for in-person submissions that has Turnbull irked.

“Writing an email and having somebody else read my opinion for me is not having my voice heard,” said Turnbull. “That is having my email read. I can tell you with certainty, no one is going to share my opinion, my tone, the same as I would given all the blood, sweat and tears I’ve put into our home.”

Reuben’s Veggies declined to comment until after the public hearing.

This is the second rezoning application by Reuben’s Veggies for the same piece of land. The first was withdrawn in January with the current application launched in February.

The public hearing will be held via video conference starting at 10 a.m. on Tuesday.