Lavender farm planning expansion at new site

A local business operating for more than 10 years is receiving praise from Lord Mayor Gary Zalepa over their expansion plans at a new location.  

Niagara Essential Oils and Blends (NEOB), a lavender farm, previously operated from 758 Niagara Stone Rd., renting that property. But they have recently purchased a former farm at 933 Niagara Stone Rd., and have plans to offer a market where they will sell products processed on site, as well as flowers, and garlic, local politicians were told at Tuesday’s committee-of-the-whole planning meeting by town planner Connor MacIsaac.  

There are plans for a storage and processing facility, a trailer for farm help, as well as a farm dwelling at a future date, along with a produce stand already open onsite.  

Representing business owners Robert and Melissa Achal, planner Stephen Bedford said their previous site across the road from the new farm on Niagara Stone Rd. was about 10 acres in size, with only two acres used for growing lavender.  

The new location is 12 acres, with 11 acres for growing. The new buildings will take up about two per cent of that property, said Bedford, responding to a question from Coun. Wendy Cheropita during a public meeting on the agenda Tuesday.  

No speakers came forward in the public meeting to offer comments.  

MacIsaac said the application for a zoning bylaw amendment to permit the proposed uses is under review, and that previous concerns from the public were heard about the possibility of traffic congestion.  

The Achals also opened a retail space on Queen Street last year.  

The property is located at the southwest intersection of Niagara Stone Road, Concession 7 and Line 4 Roads, in the agricultural area of Niagara-on-the-Lake.  

No decision was made, but there didn’t appear to be concern from councillors with the project moving ahead.  

“This is exactly the type of thing we’re looking for in the community,” said Zalepa. “It’s a wonderful, adaptive reuse in our agricultural area.”

Bedford said, if approved, the expansion would allow for 15,000 lavender plants and 3,000 hydrangeas, and that it will fit into an agricultural business network that already exists in the area.  

The Achals also own stores in Bracebridge, Elora, and Stratford.