By Treena Mielke
Ponoka County council has given the green light to a major piling manufacturing company to expand its property despite some opposition from a neighboring acreage owner.
At its regular meeting, Sept. 13, council, following a public hearing, agreed to rezone 20 acres of land to rural industrial from agricultural to accommodate the expansion of the existing Almita Piling Inc. yard.
The land, now owned by Jack and Kathleen Remyn is to be purchased by Almita.
However, Doug Laing, who lives near the site and attended the meeting, said the expansion will mean his family will be subject to more noise.
“It’s been livable, but now they’re moving within 70 feet of my house.”
Laing said the banging and crashing begins early in the morning.
Laing also expressed concern about the increased traffic and safety concerns. “I have young children and I’m afraid something might happen.”
However, Ken Stebner, director of operations for Almita, said the company plans to fence the property, and constructing a berm is also a possibility.
Council agreed that Almita would address Laing’s concerns, however Coun. Paul McLauchlin said a berm would not solve the noise issue. “A berm is not a noise compressor and it can actually increase sound.”
Almita Piling Inc. is located at the junction of Highway 53 and Highway 2 north of Don Laing Trailers.
The company is a leading provider of screw pile design, fabrication and installation and has been in operation since 1992. The company relocated to the Highway 2 site earlier this year.