Pubdate: Fri, 21 Mar 2014
Source: Coast Reporter (CN BC)
Copyright: 2014 Coast Reporter
Contact:  http://www.coastreporter.net/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/580
Author: John Gleeson

BIGGER GROW-OPS NOT BETTER, SCRD TOLD

The Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) should not rush ahead with
a bylaw to restrict medical marijuana production facilities to large
rural lots, but should also allow smaller scale grow operations under
any new zoning rules that are adopted.

That was the message SCRD officials heard when more than a dozen
residents came out March 11 for a public hearing on a zoning bylaw
amendment that would permit medical pot production only on rural lots
in the RU2 and RU3 zones that are eight hectares (20 acres) or more.

Staff drafted the bylaw in light of Health Canada's stated aim to
shift the medical marijuana program to large-scale commercial
production facilities, but has since started preparing a separate
bylaw that would allow smaller scale operations on smaller
agricultural parcels.

"We don't have a position that big is necessarily bad," senior planner
David Rafael said. "What we do want is for the next set of bylaws to
better reflect the needs of the community."

At the hearing, several residents said large-scale operations would
more likely use pesticides and be less environmentally sustainable
than smaller facilities that often grow organic marijuana.

They also said the bylaw discriminates against existing small-scale
operations that provide important economic benefits to the community
and supply a vital medical product to patients.

The Roberts Creek official community plan committee backed that
position in a letter received at the hearing.

"We support non-industrial operations that maintain rural character in
rural neighbourhoods," committee members wrote. "It is our opinion
that agriculture is fundamental to the land use of these properties
and that the warehouse model of marijuana production is not the best
method for our community."

SCRD directors were set to consider the new bylaw on March 20 for
third reading and possible adoption by the board.

With the bylaw for small-scale operations not expected to be passed
until September, and Health Canada's new medical marijuana rules
taking effect April 1, staff were recommending the large-lot bylaw be
approved, noting that growers can apply for spot zoning at any time.

Without any zoning bylaw on the books, Rafael said in a report to the
planning and development committee, the gap "would allow for an
unknown number of facilities to become established in locations that
may not be supported by the communities in which they are located.
There would be little if any opportunity for community input about
such facilities."

Facilities authorized by Health Canada but established without zoning
in place would become "grandfathered" as lawful, non-conforming uses
after bylaws are adopted, he said.

Meanwhile, no objections were raised at the March 12 public hearing
for the SCRD's first medical marijuana spot-zoning request, to allow
Richnor Recycling to operate a large-scale production facility on
Horsethief Road, south of Hillside Industrial Park, in Port Mellon.

Speaking at the hearing, applicant Chris Danroth said the facility
would employ between 20 and 30 people and would be a good fit for the
area, staff reported.

The application was also set to come back to the planning and
development committee on March 20 for potential approval at the next
board meeting.
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MAP posted-by: Matt