Wolf Tree Coffee, an Oliver-based coffee company, has been ordered to relocate after neighbors raised multiple complaints about strong roasting smells emanating from the business. The council received a formal complaint in September about the “strong odour” from the property at 6597 Bellevue Dr., marking one of several complaints over the past year.
Wayne Anderson, the town’s chief administrative officer, explained that residents living near the coffee roastery have reported that the roasting process produces an overpowering odor.
The business, located in a residential area, was issued a business license approximately eight years ago, but town staff later acknowledged that this was done in error. They noted that the town did not fully account for the potential issues caused by roasting coffee beans, including the nuisance of strong odors.
Wolf Tree Coffee has now been told to either relocate or invest in after-burning coffee roasting technology to reduce the smell. The company is also required to comply with local bylaws, which prohibit manufacturing or processing at residential premises.
In a letter to the council, the owners of Wolf Tree Coffee expressed their disagreement with the town’s classification of coffee roasting as manufacturing. “This has all come as a surprise to us, as we have not attempted to hide the nature of our business and have been issued a business license from the town for the last eight years,” the letter stated.
The owners pointed out that the business had been inspected by the Building Inspector and the Director of Development Services when it first started, receiving a passing grade. They also expressed surprise that the town had not attempted to address the issue directly with them before taking action.
Currently, Wolf Tree roasts coffee twice a week, keeping the sessions under four hours each time. The owners stated they would have been open to discussing adjustments to roasting schedules or frequency, which might have resolved the problem without the need for relocation or expensive equipment. The required after-burner technology, however, would cost around $30,000 USD.
During a council meeting in December, the owners were granted an extension on their business license until May 31, 2025, to give them time to decide their next steps.
Councillor Petra Veintimilla commented, “Whether the license was issued in error or without fully understanding the nature of the business, it seems completely reasonable to give them time to figure out the next steps.”
Related topics:
- Mill City Roasters to Relocate to Larger Facility in Northeast Minneapolis
- Rising for People Coffee Plans Move to MidTown Reno After Car Accident
- U.S. Army Veteran Dustin Mathews Wins PJ’s Coffee Veteran Franchise Giveaway