Local trustee George Ehring stated last week the Salt Spring Coffee Company’s ultra-green operation represents the vision the island wants, but added “I don’t know how we can get there.”

Yes, most people probably feel the company’s plan would be an island asset and that its associated 20 jobs and million dollars-plus in annual payroll are desirable — in theory, at least. They just want to see the plant located in “the right spot.” But if its impacts are as minimal as they appear to be, what criteria for that spot are we all missing?

People who believe 1501 Fulford-Ganges Road is the wrong spot have put forth a number of reasons for their beliefs, ranging from traffic concerns to fear of environmental damage to Ford Lake or air filled with harmful compounds and annoying odours.

Between considerable efforts by the company and Islands Trust, each concern has been addressed through research, studies, a peer review, covenant proposals and sharing of facts about how the operation will run. It’s hard to imagine what else would give comfort to trustees, neighbours and other concerned individuals. And this has all occurred without a bylaw being given first reading or a public hearing date set.

The fact is that Salt Springers will raise a ruckus regardless of where the coffee company proposes to set up shop, even in areas designated for commercial, agricultural or industrial uses. Somebody lives or works near all of those areas. Theories about negative impacts will always abound.

Coffee company consultant George Grams described seven other properties that were investigated, including one specifically mentioned in a new Friends of Ford Lake-commissioned report at Rainbow and Atkins roads. The landowners either didn’t want to sell or lease them, neighbours raised hell, or the property came with insurmountable obstacles the company was advised would take “years” to resolve.

Face it. There is no absolutely right spot for this proposal — or any other. Remember the fire hall?

A desire for caution and thorough decision-making is admirable, but it seems as if the Trust is flying by the seat of its pants on this one and that they truly “don’t know how to get there.” The result could be an applicant collapsing with frustration and exhaustion and telling more tales about how impossible it is to deal with the Islands Trust. Is that how the Trust wants to manage land use on the islands? Let’s hope not.