Yorkton Council approved a discretionary use for 152 Myrtle Avenue at its regular meeting Monday.
The request to construct a series of grain storage bins at a flax processor on the property first appeared before Council May 28.
"The existing facility has two grain storage bins. The additional bins will provide increased grain storage and allow the applicant/owner to purchase higher volumes of grain when prices are lower. The operations of the processing plant, which currently involves cleaning, milling and oil processing, will not change. The oil production process uses cold-pressing, which does not create any heat or noxious odours," detailed Michael Eger, planner with the City.
Eger said the bins are not ideal for the location, but there are elements which buffer their impact.
"The property is surrounded by a mix of land uses, including residential, institutional, commercial and industrial. Because of close proximity to residential land uses, industrial use is not ideal in this location. However, an existing row of boulevard trees on Myrtle Avenue will provide some screening to the proposed 40 feet tall bins. Grain trucks will continue to access the site from the rear of the property, via Dominion Avenue, and will not generate direct traffic movements on Myrtle Avenue. Further, the applicant/owner has proposed a fence to provide security and to screen the property from ground level operations," he said. " Although not ideal at this location, Administration is of the opinion that expansion of the existing business will not be detrimental to the function and amenity of the surrounding residential, institutional and commercial land uses. The lengthy time in which these properties sat vacant is indicative of low demand in this area for new residential and/or commercial developments."
"The application was referred to the Planning and Infrastructure Commission at the May 16, 2012 meeting. The Commission expressed concerns over expansion of industrial uses in the City's core which have the potential to detract from neighbouring residential, institutional, and to a lesser extent, commercial land uses. Given the history of industrial activities in the area and the desire to foster the local business community, the Commission recommended that Council consider approval of the application, stated the circulated report."
At the May 28 meeting the matter was moved to the public notification process. Eger said they received one letter of concern.
The first concern was noise from the operation of augers, but Eger said the applicant had said the expansion will include a quieter grain handling option, and the facility is still under the City's noise bylaw should that become an issue.
The letter of concern also questioned the appearance of the site, but Eger said a fence along Myrtle should appease that.
The final concern was a potential devaluing of neighbouring property values. Eger said the resident was told that there was an appeals process involving assessment that could be undertaken if that was an issue.
Councillor Ross Fisher said the project was a positive one.
"I think this is a good project for the city," he said in moving the discretionary use be approved.
The motion was unanimously supported.
