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By Ashley Lavallee-Koenig

Agriculture

Flour mill development approved for height restriction relaxation

Jun 13, 2024 | 7:10 PM

The Red Deer County Municipal Planning Commission (MPC) has unanimously approved a height restriction relaxation of 27 metres to accomodate the flour bin tower of a flour mill development planned for Springbrook.

On June 11, commission members voted to allow the structure to reach its required 45 metre height within a zone that normally has a maximum allowance of 18 metres.

The proposed facility is to be developed by P & H Milling and will be located south of Airport Drive adjacent to the Hamlet of Springbrook. It has been classified as a Value-Added Agricultural Industry, meaning it clearly demonstrates that it adds value to a primary agricultural activity or product, including agricultural product manufacturing, food-processing activities, and non-food processing activities.

Residents were invited to share their thoughts by June 5 so they could be included in the report that went before the commission.

“As a homeowner in the community of Springbrook I am concerned about the County potentially approving the request as I feel that a flour mill directly across from my home and many others is already going to be an eye sore to our beautiful backyards we have now as well as extra train noise and delay,” wrote one resident, Gregory Stokowski.

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P & H Milling has stated that noise should be minimal and dust should not extend beyond the site’s boundaries. If complaints are received, County officials say they would investigate and ensure founded concerns are mitigated.

Other residents that wrote-in mentioned concerns regarding the facility’s impact to airport operations and the safety of plane departures and arrivals.

Anson Chappell, acting site manager for the Red Deer control tower, inquired as to whether the Land Use Application process with NAV CANADA has been initiated, as “a development of this height at the proposed location could pose a significant impact to operations and should be coordinated with NAV CANADA.”

The Red Deer Regional Airport has commented on the development, stating they would carry out a comprehensive review of the development and that written approval from the airport should be received before a final development permit is issued.

Currently, Red Deer County, P&H Milling, the Red Deer Regional Airport, NAV CANADA and Transport Canada are working collaboratively on these reports and the permit application.

If this reporting concludes the proposed project will not impact airport operations, and the milling company can meet the application conditions laid out by the County, a development permit will be issued. P & H Milling hopes to begin construction this summer, and the project could take about two years to complete.

The development will include grain storage, mill feed receiving towers, packaging towers, and a warehouse area. It is expected to employ 28-30 people.