Canadian-based greenhouse grower Windset Farms received final approval from the Santa Maria Planning Commission on Aug. 19 for a conditional use permit to build a 178-acre hydroponic farm and produce-packing facility the city.
Plans for the $75-million project call for four greenhouses and a 140,000-square-foot produce processing and packing facility to be built in four phases on the project site, near the intersection of Black and West Betteravia roads.
The cluster of greenhouses will cover a combined area of 5.7 million square feet.
The facility will produce tomatoes and other vegetables and will create up to 400 local jobs, according to the company. As part of the development agreement with the city, Windset committed to pay employees at least a dollar more than minimum wage.
Santa Maria Mayor Larry Lavagnino said the city was fortunate to have a major agricultural entity move in to provide year-round work for fieldworkers.
“Rain doesn’t stop them, nor does any seasonal change. These people would be working on an annual basis, so they would have secure positions,” Lavagnino said. “It’s something totally new for our area, and I think it’s going to be a very advantageous thing to the city of Santa Maria and our area.”
According to Lavagnino, Windset first approached the city with the greenhouse idea about a year and a half ago.
“To get [the agreement] done in that short of time was literally monumental,” the mayor said.
The Planning Commission approved the permit by a vote of 5-0. According to commissioner Etta Waterfield, in addition to creating jobs, the development will bring innovative and clean growing technology to the area.
“It’s a new concept,” Waterfield said. “It’s going to be a great project, and we’re looking forward to having them.”
Construction is likely to begin within a few months and will include improvements to surrounding sections of E Street, Black Road, and Carmen and Sonya lanes. The first planting is expected by fall of 2010, according to the
company.
Windset Farms is headquartered in Delta, British Columbia, and grows a variety of tomatoes, cucumbers, bell peppers, eggplants, and Belgian endives, according to the company’s website. The Santa Maria project will be the company’s first greenhouse and packing facility in the United States.
This article appears in Aug 27 – Sep 3, 2009.
