A proposed Sturgeon Valley subdivision will be great for the Peas On Earth farm, says its owner, despite the fact that it will essentially be built on top of it.
Sturgeon County councillors held a public hearing on the Green Hennessey development on April 26 at the Sturgeon Valley Golf & Country Club. About 13 people attended. Mayor Don Rigney was absent.
A group of investors led by Bill Minnes of Bradwill Consultants wants to build about 57 homes, a health centre/spa and a day care on the land currently occupied by the Peas On Earth farm, which is located on Sturgeon Road across from Allin Ridge Estates.
Peas On Earth is a well-known organic farm business that sells vegetables at local farmers' markets.
There are 3,000 to 4,000 people now living in the Sturgeon Valley region, Minnes said to council, which makes it more populous than any other town in the county except Morinville. "We feel it's about time that some other [land] uses were introduced into the valley."
The group wants to rezone about 22 hectares of farmland to country residential and family institutional uses, split into two chunks. The homes would go in the east, while the day-care centre and health centre/spa would go in the west. Peas on Earth would be in the middle.
This is exactly the kind of development that Peas On Earth wants, said co-owner Eric Chen to council. "Having a green space is a great thing … but imagine being able to put that green in your mouth."
Putting homes close to their farm would strengthen the region's food security and give kids a way to reconnect with food production, Chen said. "These guys are doing something great."
Farms and houses
Peas On Earth has been at its current location for years, Chen said. It's great land, but it's expensive and not suited for fruit or egg production.
Chen and his wife, Ruby, say they plan to keep their main headquarters and some vegetable gardens at the current site if this development is approved, setting up a new, bigger farm elsewhere. Having homes nearby will help them expose more people to their product and give them more opportunities for agri-tourism, he said.
"You can grow a lot of food, but you've got to sell that food, too."
But these homes would be built next to two dairy farms, noted Coun. Tom Flynn — farms that have already caused residents to complain about manure spreading. The City of St. Albert has also objected to the development, saying that it violates the county's policy of preserving good agricultural land.
The developer needs to do more work on the manure issue, said Coun. Don McGeachy, who otherwise supported the development.
"A day care that close to the [Edmonton] Garrison would be full. It'd have a waiting list."
It would also give residents an up-close look at organic agriculture, he added. "It's a great showcase for a blending of [city and farm] cultures."
Unanswered questions
Resident Barry Lupyrypa, who ran for council during a byelection in 2009, spoke against the development. "You don't have the infrastructure to support these [proposed lots] right now."
Lupyrypa and a report from county staff both noted that the region lacks the water infrastructure needed to support more homes. "The green [fire] hydrants in my development are lawn ornaments," he said, noting how the region has fire hydrants, but they don't have enough water pressure to work. "Where are you going to get the water?"
Lupyrypa levelled angry accusations against council and other local developments, such as Quail Ridge, for about 15 minutes before chair Coun. Ken McGillis ordered him to leave the podium.
"You are finished," McGillis said. "You're done!"
Council has previously heard that it will need to spend about $10 million to bring a fire hall and working hydrants to the Sturgeon Valley. Residents turned down a proposed levy to pay for the upgrade last year.
This is an ongoing problem, McGeachy said, one that offsite levies from new developments could help solve. "We will not continue to underservice the valley."
The development will come back before council later in May. If approved, Minnes says, construction could start as early as this fall.
