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Proposed Food Hub public hearing March 24
The City of Cranbrook is holding a public hearing Monday, March 24 for an application to amend the C-2 Highway Commercial Zone to construct a ‘food hub’ at 703 Cranbrook Street North.
If ‘City of Cranbrook Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 4192, 2025 (C-2 Highway Commercial Amendment)’ is approved, it would allow a multi-purpose facility for the primary purpose of food processing, manufacturing and distribution, as well as training and education for food and agricultural businesses, along the highway corridor, a city Engineering and Development Services department report outlined.
City staff have reviewed the proposal against the new Official Community Plan’s (OCP) policies, facilities in comparable communities, best practices, City of Cranbrook bylaws, and a consensual professional opinion.
In a report to council, Engineering and Development Services’ Santana Patten noted the proposed location for the food hub is not consistent with the OCP or city zoning.
“While it is clear that this project will provide significant benefit to the community, based on City of Cranbrook community vision (OCP 2042) and policies and comparable communities’ best practices, it can be considered that this is not the best location as it’s inconsistent with OCP and zoning.
“When reviewing other communities with successful ‘Food Hubs,’ of the 10 different examples, staff found that none were located in their respective community’s version of highway commercial. The zoning is typically a core commercial or a light industrial zone. Food Hubs were typically permitted under the terms “Assembly Use,” or variations of “food manufacturing or processing.”
Patten summarized: “It’s very evident that a Food Hub would provide significant value to our community. The city has been supportive of the work being done to improve food security and strengthen the local food system, and staff understand the benefits from both an access level, but also the economic development perspective.”
A public hearing is scheduled for Monday, March 24 at 6 p.m. at City Hall.
If this proposal gets a third reading, the application will be referred to the Ministry of Transportation and Transit.
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