While attempts are being made to regulate farming in Coldstream, a major producer is moving forward with expansion.
has applied for building permits for farm worker housing, on both the Buchanan and Warren road properties.
The applications, which are currently under review by Coldstream, are identical and comprised of: 15 dorms (360 sq. ft. units) for foreign workers, a two-level, 5,600 sq. ft. communal kitchen and washroom building, a 720 sq. ft. farm manager building, sewage treatment facility and a camping area.
ѻýTheyѻýve identified 54 sites for the camp,ѻý said Michael Reiley, Coldstreamѻýs director of development services.
A building permit has not yet been issued and therefore plans could change.
But Coral Beach Farms says housing is only intended for one of the sites.
ѻýAssuming everything comes together on Warren Road thatѻýs the better site, we have no intent of building on bothѻý said David Geen, Coral Beach Farms president. ѻýThe neighbourhood influence there is very minimal, itѻýs under five homes within a kilometre radius whereas Buchannan Road Iѻýve got a lot more influence over there.
ѻýIѻým trying my best to locate this in such a way that itѻýs the least intrusive to the neighbourhood as possible.ѻý
Coral Beach had for a , which would have reduced the number of structures needed on site. But following neighbouring outcry, .
ѻýSo we redesigned the facility such that it didnѻýt require a variance,ѻý said Geen of the custom structures that are being built off-site.
Both properties were applied for as initially Coral Beach Farms was unsure if building could take place on the Warren property due to environmental concerns related to wildlife habitat. A biologist report has since been completed and the site has been approved for building plans.
The new dormitory housing will see 88 workers at capacity during harvest and 60 campers during the peak season.
ѻýWeѻýre going to be picking cherries there in 12-14 weeks,ѻý said Geen. ѻýItѻýs typically about a six week window. Typically itѻýs July and August, this year with the late spring itѻýs probably going to run into September.ѻý
Construction will be on temporary foundations and if approved by staff, a covenant will be placed on the property to ensure only temporary buildings.
Meanwhile Coldstream council is moving forward with a request to have the Farm Industry Review Board study current farm practices. Coldstreamѻýs resolution is being forwarded to UBCM member municipalities.
ѻýWhat we are looking at is a broader view of things,ѻý said Mayor Jim Garlick.
Coun. Pat Cochrane supports the efforts being made: ѻýThe people that do have issues are our customers, our clients and we need to listen to them and do what we can.ѻý
While he agrees something needs to be done, Coun. Richard Enns questions if this is the best direction.
ѻýI really donѻýt think this is the right approach and I donѻýt think weѻýre going to get anywhere with it.ѻý