Amherstburg council green-lights first hurdle in greenhouse project
Amherstburg council approved a land-use zoning change that marks the first step toward establishing a $105-million greenhouse development.
By a 4-3 vote, council agreed this week to rezone 106 acres near the former General Chemical property from heavy industrial to agricultural.
Lassaline Planning Consultants applied for the zoning change on behalf of Cecelia Acres Greenhouse Development.
According to the application, the developers plan to grow tomatoes.
“Technically, it’s new industry for Amherstburg,” said Mayor Aldo Dicarlo, who voted in favour of rezoning. “It’s a bit of diversification and possible jobs.”
The area in question is located on Concession Road 3 east of the former General Chemical and north of a solar farm. The land is presently used as farmland.
Dicarlo said the developer “seems very responsible as far as light emission goes. They’ve said tomatoes don’t require any (artificial) grow light and should they do anything that does they had no issue with adding black out curtains.”
The project also calls for an office, warehouse and an accommodation bunkhouse for seasonal workers.
Councillors raised concerns about light emissions, wanting more time to consider the application and the presence of migrant workers in town.
“I don’t think we should even go there,” Dicarlo said, referring to issues other municipalities have faced regarding large numbers of migrant workers gathering in downtown core spaces.
“I think maybe people have heard about a bad experience somewhere else and they’re concerned that’s the norm,” he said. “We were talking zoning at this stage, period. “
The developers have an ambitious timeline that would see the operation up and running by November 2020.
“That’s why they were looking for approval that night,” Dicarlo said. “They want to have tomatoes in there by November. It’s going to get built quickly.”
With rezoning secured, the developers will move forward with a site plan, which will also require council’s approval.
Dicarlo expects council will have a site plan in their hands by early January.