New life for Berwick warehouse a way-out-there idea

BY NANCY KELLY

Kings County Register

A unique new business proposal for Berwick presents a “fairly complicated” scenario for members of Berwick’s Planning Advisory Committee, says Berwick’s planner Chris Millier.

Following a presentation by representatives of the Nova Verde Estate Project, who want to transform an aging apple warehouse on Front Street into a groundbreaking waste management system and greenhouse, Millier said the first issue will be to define the essence of the proposed business before any amendments can be made to the current zoning.

The property is currently zoned for Commercial/ Warehouse use. Millier said the proposal by Nova Verde to build an “ecosphere,” which he has so far been unable to locate in any list of permitted uses, requires a less-than-traditional planning approach.

“What we have been told so far” - that this facility will produce crops in greenhouse grow rooms and by-products such as electricity and natural gas that will also be for sale - “does little to narrow down the use of the property,” explained Millier. He added sales of waste ash, which can be used in the production of construction materials, could also make the proposed new building a foundry of sorts.

“Right now, we have no precedent in terms of defining this business.”

When Nova Verde first approached the town in November about turning the former Stirling Apple warehouse into an ecosphere, Millier counseled the partners to present a detailed plan to move their project ahead.

“I asked them to bring a clearer statement within our language. Unfortunately, that didn’t happen,” said Millier of the “vague” proposal before PAC now.

He agreed with committee citizen member Joan Levack’s concern about the location’s suitability; in particular, its proximity to a residential area, the potential for increased truck traffic and insufficient parking.

Mayor John Prall challenged the committee “not to think about how we can’t do this, but how we can.”

Calling it “hard to create business opportunities for Berwick,” Prall wants to keep the discussions with Nova Verde “positive, and make them feel at home.”

While Councillor Mike Trinacty called the proposal “a fantastic opportunity that fits around Berwick’s energy futures and buy-local initiative,” he wondered if it could be “too good to be true.”

“No,” replied Millier, “it’s just too vague.”

He recommended the best way to get more details on the “hybrid operation” would be to enter into a development agreement that could enable a mix of industrial, commercial and agriculture uses in the existing commercial zone.

“Vague comes to an end when the development process starts,” concluded Millier, who reminded the committee any changes to the current permitted use of the property will require public consultation.



‘Ecosphere’ has all the right ideas

Two entrepreneurs with Nova Scotia roots want to change the skyline of Berwick.

They’re proposing a five-story greenhouse in the downtown area that could revolutionize local agriculture practices, while benefiting the environment.

At the January 8 meeting of Berwick’s Planning Advisory Committee (PAC) Barrie Wamboldt and Ron Turner reviewed their plan to make Berwick the home of their first “ecosphere,” a structure that will use thermal oxidation to power a greenhouse and produce quick-grow crops, such as lettuce mixes and beans.

Wamboldt’s company, Nova Verde Estates, is looking at transforming the former Stirling warehouse, originally owned by the Berwick Fruit Company, on Front Street into the first facility of its kind.

“Environmental wonders will take place there,” said Wamboldt of the facility, which will “oxidize, not burn” fuel pellets comprised of “waste material that is trucked to and buried in Lunenburg County.” Anticipating the facility will have the capacity to eliminate 200 tons of waste per day, he said the process will create different types of energy to support the growth of crops, adding crops won’t be the only by-product.

According to the Nova Verde material provided, the facility will also generate electricity, natural gas and carbon dioxide - all of which can be sold. Ash produced from the elimination of the waste pellets can also be used in the production of construction materials.

Wamboldt is convinced the old apple warehouse is well-suited to the project.

“There’s a lot of serendipity going on here,” said Wamboldt. “There is little that needs to be changed on the two bottom floors,” which he explained will accommodate manufacturing, cooling and sorting areas. Newly-constructed upper floors will house the greenhouse and growing areas.

“What we are doing here is bringing this old building back to life. It just won’t be about apples anymore.”

Under the Nova Verde plan, the existing 1.5 storey, pitched-roof building will be transformed into a five-storey glass and brick structure. Wamboldt hopes, with the town’s approval, the operation, which he says could bring 70 full-time jobs to Berwick, could be up and running by this time next year.