R.M. of Buckland Planning Officer Jason Kaptein lays out Harmon's proposed expansion plans for council. (Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

By Nigel Maxwell

Local economy

R.M. of Buckland approves new chicken barn

Jun 10, 2019 | 5:04 PM

Harman Eggs has been given the green light to build a second barn north of Prince Albert, replacing the one that burned to the ground nearly three years ago, killing thousands of chickens.

Manager Jason Labelle was present for the public hearing Monday, when the Rural Municipality of Buckland council discussed the plan. Labelle said the new barn will allow them to increase their chicken capacity from 42,000 to 72,000 chickens.

“And it’s going to be free run organic, which is good and what the consumer wants so that’s why we are building it,” he said.

Roughly 7,500 chickens were killed in the August, 2016 fire. Harman plans to create a buffer zone around its two barns. (File photo/ paNOW Staff)

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As a means to inform the public, a mail out was distributed to 100 homes, located within a one-mile radius of the proposed development. The R.M. received five responses, and only one had concern related to potential increases in truck traffic. Labelle said any increase in traffic, would be “very minimal.” He also addressed several questions from councilors related to potential smells and waste treatment.

“We don’t expect any concerns with smell, and we haven’t had any concerns,” he said.

Labelle explained to council that Harman had a special building on site, which was equipped to handle all the waste and contain the smell. The waste itself will be trucked out twice a year (spring and fall) and will be spread at a private property, whose owner has an agreement in place with Harman and the Ministry of Agriculture.

Prior to the proposal going to a vote planning directorJason Kaptein informed council that the proposed facility passed all bylaw requirements.

Eggs from the Harman farm are sold primarily in Saskatchewan. Pending council’s approval, construction was expected to start soon, and be completed by February.

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nigel.maxwell@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell