Pubdate: Thu, 25 Apr 2013
Source: Maple Ridge Times (CN BC)
Copyright: 2013 Lower Mainland Publishing Group Inc
Contact:  http://www.mrtimes.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1372
Author: Maria Rantanen

COUNCIL TWEAKS MEDICAL POT ZONING

Maple Ridge Council Has Asked For Changes To Bylaw Wording, Which Will
Lead To Another Public Hearing

Maple Ridge council sent a bylaw about zoning for medicinal marijuana
grow operation back to staff for revisions after concerns were raised
at a public hearing.

Council was considering a bylaw, which would have restricted grow-ops
to agricultural areas, but concerns were raised about proposed
setbacks and parcel sizes.

The issue is not whether marijuana is good or bad, he
added.

"I've heard some compelling accounts of the medical side and how it's
benefited people in some really tough situations," Daykin said.
However, he added, council wants to remove it from residential areas.

The amended bylaw will have to go back to a public
hearing.

Council also dealt with a medicinal marijuana grow-op in the Hammond
industrial area, giving the property owner 30 days to hire a
consultant to find a solution to the smell from the operation. (The
owner can appeal to council for an extension.)

District of Maple Ridge staff have been dealing with the issue since
last summer after receiving complaints about odours, Daykin said.

"The neighbouring folks have to be part of the equation - what's fair
to them," he added. 
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MAP posted-by: Jo-D