A bylaw was adopted at council Wednesday night that will make a proposed processing plant possible in Tuwanek.
Rezoning of a parcel of land on Target Marine Hatcheries' property from M3 to M3A will allow the company to build a processing plant for fish and extraction and processing of roe raised on site. Councillors Keith Thir-kell, Darren Inkster and Warren Allan opposed the adoption, while councillors Barry Poole, Ed Steeves, Mike Shanks and Mayor Cam Reid voted in favour.
Again, there was more time dedicated to discussion around this issue that has been before council for many months. At times, the audience was noisy and Reid reminded them that they had their time for input during public meetings and hearings and process of the night did not allow for debate. Neighbours in the area who oppose the plant have been vocal and council took more questions at the meeting. Council also put questions through to Justin Henry, Target's manager to re-clarify answers.
Smell that attracts wild animals like bear and coyote is one concern with some neighbours. Henry said the hatchery is transitioning from salmon to sturgeon and the amount composted on site will be no different than it is now. There currently is no humanly detectable smell of compost at the hatchery. Henry also said most of the sturgeons' carcasses will be harvested and sold so the amount from each fish left over for composting will be small.
Noise from fans is another concern for some neighbours. The processing plant design that includes ice making is purported to be such that sound will be insulated within it and not make the area any noisier than it is now. At present, bylaw officers have found no reason to fine Target Marine for sound violations. During public questions before council, Karen Cameron, who owns property on Naylor Road next to the hatchery, suggested that Reid, who is neighbours and friends with one of the proponents, had a conflict of interest and should excuse himself from voting. Corporate officer Jo-Anne Frank told the galley the definition of conflict of interest for council matters was in regards to "fiduciary interest." Since Reid does not have a financial perceived or real interest with the neighbour, he was eligible to vote.
