The Town of Oliver is working with a local businessman to possibly re-establish an abattoir operation in the industrial park.

Last week council directed staff to work with Bob Johnston of 5801 Sawmill Road on a zoning designation to allow his slaughterhouse idea.

Johnston appeared before council to request that the “industrial” zoning designation be retained as opposed to the new “commercial” zone being considered by the Town.

Johnston’s property is surrounded by residential, agricultural and conservation area zonings.

Regional district planner Christopher Garrish said they are not in favour of recreating a new zone in the bylaw that would allow uses such as gravel processing, asphalt mixing, salvage operations, stockyards, and abattoirs.

But Garrish said the range of permitted uses contemplated by the new commercial zone also captures the manufacturing uses currently allowed by the existing industrial zone, while also allowing food processing. Garrish noted that Johnston has indicated a desire to re-start a former meat processing business on his property.

The planner said Johnston wishes to have the General Industrial zone applied to this property.

“Staff are concerned that this would represent a significant expansion to the range of permitted uses allowed at the site.”

Municipal Manager Tom Szalay said the Sawmill Road property is still governed by the regional district’s industrial zoning that it had when the Town expanded its boundaries in 2008.

But he noted the Town is currently updating its zoning bylaw, and there is a reluctance to use the standard industrial zone on Johnston’s property.

“The property is abutting other single family residential properties and a conservation area, so some of the uses permitted in the standard industrial zone (sawmill, gravel crushing) are not seen as very compatible.”

Szalay said Johnston, who currently operates a septic tank service on the property, used to operate an abattoir there several years ago, but was forced to close his doors due to federal regulatory changes.

“He would like to retain the option to restart that business if senior government regulations are changed.”

Johnston told council that a slaughterhouse operation has been a staple in that area since 1928. The businessman noted that he needs an industrial zoning designation to continue the venture.

“Hopefully we can make it work again . . . without the industrial zone I’ve got nowhere to go.”

Johnston said that when he came to Oliver he was told the zoning would be “grandfathered.”

Mayor Ron Hovanes said he supports Johnston’s proposal. “It would be great to have an abattoir locally. There is no reason it should not happen.”

Hovanes said most neighbours in that area realize they live in an industrial park, but they wouldn’t want an asphalt plant or other heavy uses.

Johnston replied, “I live there, I wouldn’t want that either.”

Szalay said council’s direction is to include site-specific provisions that will allow the uses sought by Johnston, while continuing to prohibit some of the more intrusive uses allowed under the full industrial zone.

Szalay said there will be a public hearing required on the complete zoning bylaw update, but not a specific hearing for the property in question.

Lyonel Doherty

Oliver Chronicle