Pubdate: Tue, 11 Mar 2014 Source: Prince George Citizen (CN BC) Copyright: 2014 Prince George Citizen Contact: http://www.princegeorgecitizen.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/350 Author: Mark Nielsen TOPLEY POT FACILITY FACES OPPOSITION A proposal to turn a now-closed elementary school in a small rural community east of Burns Lake into a large-scale medical marijuana growing facility is drawing fire from at least one nearby homeowner. Topley resident Vivian Eftobie says the facility will produce a smell and become a magnet from crime. She also said it's the wrong location because the school bus picks up and drops off youth at a stop in front of the school. Eftobie said she's lived in the community of about 80 people 280 kilometres east of Prince George for about 25 years and her children went to the school, which was closed three years ago due to low enrollment. "Our children were taught in that school by the RCMP that drugs are not good," Eftobie said. "Now they're going to turn around and grow it in there." Kelowna-based K Town Medical Growers Inc. is behind the plan. Owner Alexander Mark Roberts already operates a small licenced facility in another building in the village and wants to expand. He said the new operation will employ 80 people full-time and year-round to start with, each earning about $20 per hour plus benefits. As for the smell, Roberts said that thanks to charcoal filters the size of 45-gallon drums, there is no smell coming from the current operation, located in a Quonset hut he bought about six months ago, and the same system will be in place at the new facility. "I think they're seeing a lot of things that aren't there and imagining things," Roberts said of the concerns being raised. Before he can actually start growing there, he will need to get the site rezoned by the Regional District of Bulkley-Nechako. Moreover, under the zoning bylaw as amended by regional directors in February, the site is not large enough for the use, meaning Roberts will need to approve a site-specific variance. Roberts said he could buy a property large enough and already zoned to meet the standard under the zoning bylaw in a more rural area "but I thought I'd like to centralize it," and added police have expressed concern about marijuana being grown in remote areas. Roberts said he purchased the building for $169,000 and he takes over on April 1. From there, he plans to begin renovations that should take about six months while he goes through the rezoning process. "So really, we're not behind schedule," Roberts said. Once an application has been filed and passes first and second reading, the matter will be taken to a public hearing before the regional district. But a meeting organized by Topley residents on the proposal is set for March 17 at the Topley Community Hall, starting at 7:30 p.m. Roberts said he will attend. - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom