The M.D. of Bonnyville council has approved a development permit for a size exception for the property used by LSC Industrial.
The business located two miles north of La Corey on Township Road 634, has been renting land from Jarl and Chelsey Groothuysen, who farm and live elsewhere on the property.
“Any improvements that they would like to do, whether it’s to the yard of to the buildings, they would like to invest in something that they own, which makes sense,” said Jarl Groothuysen.
He added that the company hauls in water, and the family’s well will remain on their side of the new property line. There are also plans to get the remaining portion of the quarter section within the next year.
Groothuysen said they’d be working with the development team. “We’d be looking at having the remainder of the quarter. It’s just that there’s timelines and process and this is the first thing that’s being presented.”
Councillor Don Slipchuk raised concerns that the existing 20-acre requirement might be a barrier for future business start-ups. However, administration clarified that most major rural industrial businesses require discretionary approval, meaning each case would be brought before council.
Councillor Josh Crick made a motion to approve the variance from 20 acres to six acres, and council carried the motion.
