Niverville’s town council met virtually on Tuesday, August 17 for a regularly scheduled meeting. Councillor Kevin Stott was not in attendance.
After some brief housekeeping issues, they opened the first of two public hearings for the night.
The first public hearing was for a conditional use permit for 55 Second Avenue South. The homeowner, Evelyn McFarlane, presented her request for a variance to the rear yard setback, from 25 feet to 15 feet, in order for a sunroom and/or deck to be added onto the west side of her home.
There was considerable discussion amongst McFarlane and the councillors regarding how this variance would apply to her property. In the end, McFarlane pointed out that the neighbours who would be affected by this change were already on board with her request, so the motion was unanimously carried.
The second public hearing was for a conditional use permit for a horticultural processing facility at 440 Schultz Avenue. The facility would be used by Rogue Botanicals, which is a local cannabis producer.
Several members of the Rogue Botanicals team were present to answer questions or address concerns.
Graham Taylor, the company’s president, informed council that they plan to use the existing building as an extension of their facility across the street. Automated equipment will be brought in to package cannabis products.
Councillors had several questions about this proposal, most of which were related to the site’s security. The Rogue Botanicals team made clear that they are operating under very strict guidelines from Health Canada regarding all aspects of their business.
According to Health Canada, one hundred percent of the outside of their building needs to have security camera coverage and tight security measures must be maintained at all times.
Councillors also expressed concern about potential environmental impact or noise from the production area, but Taylor reassured them that the equipment used is not loud and that they pride themselves on being a very environmentally conscious company.
Council members passed this motion unanimously as well.
Following the public hearings, Mayor Myron Dyck was pleased to describe his visit to the new Community Resource and Recreation Centre earlier in the day. He noted that multiple groups had been using the facility and he was happy to see a great deal of interest in the building and its amenities.
He also spoke about a recent meeting with Dr. Kenton Anderson, president of Providence University College and Theological Seminary in Otterburne. Both are excited about the start of classes—and with it, new seasons for the college’s volleyball, basketball, and futsal teams whose home games will be played at the CRRC.
Dyck added that he hopes there will be more partnerships between Providence and the Town of Niverville in the future.