Exemption would permit selling blueberries at Sudbury roadside

The planning committee in Greater Sudbury will vote May 25 on a three-year extension of a temporary bylaw allowing the sale of blueberries by the road. (File)

The planning committee in Greater Sudbury will vote May 25 on a three-year extension of a temporary bylaw allowing the sale of blueberries by the road.

“The temporary use was originally approved in 2014, and extended in 2017, 2020 and 2023,” said a staff report on the plan.

“The blueberries are sold from a 3m x 3m stand with a tent frame that is covered with canvas when in use. The tent frame remains in place year-round. Vehicles enter the subject lands via South Lane Road, circle around the tent frame and exit the site in a forward motion.”

The three-acre property is located at the southeast corner of Highway 69 North and South Lane Road. It has about 53 metres of frontage on the highway.

The temporary use bylaw has been required since 2013, although blueberries have been sold at the site for almost 20 years.

“In 2013, a complaint was received by bylaw services with respect to the blueberry sales on this property,” the report said.

“In February 2014, the current property owners submitted an application for a temporary use bylaw in order to permit the outdoor sale of blueberries for a period of three years.”

Public consultation is required and a notice was sent out regarding the extension – but no objections have been received.

The temporary use bylaw is needed because outdoor retail sales are not technically allowed in areas zoned rural. By making the change a temporary bylaw, there is no need to amend the city main planning document, the Official Plan.