The public will have a chance to weigh in Sept. 23 on a coffee roasting business and restaurant proposed for Canoe.
A public hearing will be held that night at 7 in the North Canoe Hall regarding a rezoning to accommodate the Leaping Frog Coffee Company Ltd. at 4940 Canoe Beach Dr. NE – the former Doc’s Pub location.
The zoning amendment would change the zoning from C1, local commercial, to C16, comprehensive development zone.
A report from the city’s planning department notes that staff reviewed other coffee roasting operations in the province.
“It is apparent that the nature of this land use (e.g.: smoke and odours) is such that creation measures are necessary to mitigate possible impacts to the surrounding properties.”
The measures listed included restrictions on operating hours, a maximum number of coffee beans per week, as well as an afterburner.
Karla Ferster, the applicant, told council Sept. 9 that she moved here two years ago from Crescent Beach, and Canoe reminded her of Crescent Beach 20 years ago. She said she’s been operating her coffee company for eight years out of Vancouver, and will maintain the coffee roasting there.
Her plan is to create a community-focused eatery in Canoe, with coffee roasting year round.
She said she has a deep appreciation for the history of Canoe, and would like to have a community wall in the business, celebrating it.
She said she would address any concerns about the coffee roasting quickly, because she lives in the community. Ferster noted that an afterburner eliminates 95 per cent of emissions into the air.
Mayor Nancy Cooper expressed her support for the plan.
“I think we’re all quite excited about your proposal.”
