City considers bylaw amendment to allow tank farm expansion at odds with zone ban

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — City council is considering a bylaw amendment which would allow an oil and gas company to expand its business in Fort St. John. 

During the June 23rd meeting, the City of Fort St. John council tentatively approved a zoning bylaw amendment application to allow the use of a tank farm on 77th Avenue, although it would not be finalized until a public meeting in July. 

This is despite previous decisions that tank farms raise safety concerns near residential areas. 

The applicant, Reliance Ventures, is an oil and gas services company operating out of Fort St. John and Grande Prairie. 

According to a report from staff on the request, the property is currently not in compliance with the current bylaws due to changes to relevant zoning bylaws in 2019. Exceptions were made for existing tank farms in the region, and the properties were protected but labelled ‘non-conforming.’ 

The property is zoned as M-1 Light Industrial, whereas after 2019 tank farm properties must be in M-2 Heavy Industrial zones. 

“While the non-conforming status protects existing operations from having to cease, it restricts the ability of the applicant to expand, redevelop or make certain changes to the use or structures,” the report stated. 

Reliance Ventures is now applying for an amendment to re-establish the permitted use of the farm, so the company can expand its propane hauling services. 

Staff stated they were not in support of developing new tank farms in the M-1 zone, but stated they supported the amendment. 

Some of the reasons behind this support include a lack of negative impacts reported to the city focused on the property, it was purchased specifically for the tank farm use prior to bylaw changes and a seven-year history demonstrating the property is in good standing with the city. 

The council also approved a public hearing for July 14th at 6 p.m. at City Hall, before the final decision will be made by council about the application.