City council is expected to consider a text amendment to allow construction of an abattoir to process up to 100 cattle a day in Chilliwack.
Council was slated to vote on introduction and first reading at the Tuesday afternoon council session, which would trigger a public hearing for Aug. 18.
The applicant is seeking to expand an existing Agricultural Food Processing zone to allow construction of a 22,000-square foot beef processing facility, at 8146, 8160, 8174, 8188, 8202, 8216, and 8230 Brannick Place.
The goal for the applicant is to obtain "food inspection status" with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) to facilitate "better market access" for local beef to major local retailers and food processors, as well as potential export markets. The staff report noted odour abatement equipment will be in place, and other protections would make it such that there'd be "no reason why this new facility would have any odours" or even give passersby "any idea that it was a beef processing facility" other than the signage.
The Chilliwack Agricultural Commission wrote a support letter, noting the project "would support opportunities for a strong, viable and profitable meat industry in British Columbia."
The property in the AFP Zone would remain in the Agricultural Land Reserve, designated as "Agri-Business Park" within the 2040 Official Community Plan. So far two food processing facilities have been built on the AFP Zoned lands: Sandel Foods (45739 Kerr Avenue) and CWF Meats Division of Overwaitea Food Group (8235 Brannick Place).
The seven subject properties have a combined area of about 6.8 hectares or 16.9 acres with more than 160 metres of frontage along Brannick Place.