Image: Google Maps / Chilliwack councillors approved a temporary use permit renewal at their meeting Tuesday (Oct. 8) for an industrial fencing panel business on No. 3 Road in Yarrow, subject to additional conditions the business must abide by.

By Mike Vanden Bosch

Yarrow fence panel business

Chilliwack council attaches multiple conditions to temporary use permit for Yarrow fence panel business

Oct 10, 2024 | 2:02 PM

CHILLIWACK — Chilliwack councillors approved a temporary use permit renewal at their meeting Tuesday (Oct. 8) for an industrial fencing panel business on No. 3 Road in Yarrow, subject to additional conditions the business must abide by.

Councillor Chris Kloot told Fraser Valley Today Thursday (Oct. 10) that Abbey Cedar Products, located at 4633 No. Road in Yarrow, has had its temporary use permit renewed contingent upon compliance with 10 conditions.

The City of Chilliwack received 10 emails of support compared to four emails of opposition for a new temporary use permit being granted to Abbey Cedar Products. The business has been operating since January 2018 under a previously issued temporary use permit. When the previous temporary use permit expired in September 2024, the applicant, Sukhjinder Dhaliwal, submitted a new temporary use application to request permission to continue the operation.

City staff noted during Tuesday’s meeting that the business generated a bylaw enforcement complaint in which concerns were raised about noise associated with an industrial operation at the site and its impact on the surrounding residential neighbourhood. The City of Chilliwack indicated in its staff report that concerns were raised in the bylaw enforcement complaint about the so-called temporary nature of the business, along with the expectation that the business should relocate in light of the six-year temporary use permit that had already expired.

The City of Chilliwack says the applicant, Sukhjinder Dhaliwal, is aware of the temporary use permit conditions.

Fire

Chilliwack firefighters battle camper fire in driveway Saturday night (VIDEO)

6h ago

Police investigation

36-year-old woman arrested for alleged involvement in theft of Chilliwack truck

12h ago

Traffic Stalled

Section of Highway 1 closes after motorcycle incident in Langley Saturday

13h ago

Councillor Jason Lum made sure at Tuesday’s meeting that Mr. Dhaliwal understood the terms and conditions of the use permit. While Lum suggested industrial land elsewhere for Dhaliwal to consider, the applicant told council members he cannot afford to relocate to another location.

Mayor Popove suggested a one-year temporary permit, saying he’s not comfortable with a three-year permit given the active bylaw complaint around noise and dust from the business. If the conditions aren’t met, the temporary use permit will come back to council who can then revoke the permit.

Councillor Bud Mercer said he supported a one-year temporary permit instead of the proposed three-year temporary use permit, and wants neighbours to be contacted regarding dust and noise.

Councillor Lum reminded Mr. Dhaliwal about the short-term nature of temporary permits.

Ultimately, council voted to accept a three-year temporary use permit in part because city staff will be monitoring the business for any future complaints as it relates to noise, dust or other conditions of its permit.

Abbey Cedar Products will be required to comply with the following conditions as part of its permit renewal:

That the processing and manufacturing portion of the business must be wholly contained within a building or structure
That a City of Chilliwack business licence be obtained
That the applicant confirm with the B.C. Ministry of Environment whether a B.C. Waste Discharge Permit is required, and if required, obtain authorization for a B.C. Waste Discharge Permit with the B.C. Ministry of Environment before the issuance of a business license
That all operations be in compliance with the City of Chilliwack Community Standards Bylaw
That a permit be issued through the Land Development Department, prior to the issuance of a business licence, to install a gravel pit to facilitate stormwater management on site
That screening along the front lot line be upgraded to a height of 2.5m prior to the issuance of a business license, and that screening surrounding the existing site be maintained at a height of 2.5m to align with the screening required within the zoning bylaw
That any material in the open storage area not exceed the height of the screening
That the hours of operation of the business be limited to 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday
That all loading and unloading of vehicles in association with the business be conducted entirely within the property
That doors are closed while an industrial planer is being operated

by Mike Vanden Bosch

Chilliwack council attaches multiple conditions to temporary use permit for Yarrow fence panel business

More Local News