Pubdate: Fri, 25 Apr 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

SMALLEST LOTS SNIPPED FROM GROW-OP PROPOSALS

The Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) will be going to the 
public in June with draft proposals to allow medical marijuana 
production facilities on smaller agricultural parcels than currently 
allowed - but not too much smaller.

Reviewing a staff report at the April 17 planning and development 
committee meeting, directors questioned the rationale of including 
lots smaller than 3,500 square metres, even for discussion purposes.

"My substantive question is essentially why would we consider these 
types of uses on properties smaller than 3,500 square metres?" 
Roberts Creek director Donna Shugar asked. "That's smaller than an 
acre. That may be pushing the community a little farther than they're 
willing to go."

Board chair Garry Nohr and Elphinstone director Lorne Lewis agreed 
with Shugar that properties smaller than 3,500 square metres should 
be deleted from the draft.

Committee chair Frank Mauro said he was "fascinated" to see 1,500 
square metres listed as a possible parcel size under a separate draft 
bylaw for Area A.

"If it is decided to go ahead with this," Mauro said, "I wouldn't 
want to see 1,500 square metres even a consideration as a lot size."

Staff was directed to remove that provision as well from the draft 
proposal, which contains a formula for combined gross floor area of 
all production facility buildings on the lot, based on parcel size.

While West Howe Sound was excluded from small-scale production, 
directors agreed to revisit the inclusion of Hillside Industrial Park 
for medical marijuana production under a separate review process.

Hillside was dropped from the current medical marijuana bylaw after 
directors learned from BC Assessment that the properties would 
receive farm class status and would generate less property taxes than 
industrial uses.

However, senior planner David Rafael reported at the meeting, BC 
Assessment has since said that only a portion of assessed value will 
be based on farm use and operations will likely have a mix of classes.

With several parcels at Hillside having no buildings or improvements, 
and therefore relatively low assessment, and with the potential for 
medical marijuana facilities to create jobs, Rafael said staff 
concluded that overall benefits would outweigh the potential loss in 
property taxes.

"On balance we feel the farm designation would not be detrimental," he said.

The draft bylaws will be sent for comment to referral agencies, First 
Nations, advisory planning commissions, the Sunshine Coast RCMP 
detachment and SCRD fire chiefs before public information meetings 
are scheduled for June.

Currently the SCRD allows medical marijuana production facilities on 
minimum eight-hectare lots in the RU2 and RU3 zones, with a 60-metre 
setback for buildings.

The draft bylaws for small-scale production suggest a 15-metre 
setback and requirements for landscaping.

It will also include the option of making small-scale facilities 
conditional on having a residence on the property, to ensure someone 
is there to supervise the operation and serve as a contact.

"We don't allow home-based businesses without a resident living there 
and I think the same should apply," Shugar said.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom