Pubdate: Thu, 01 May 2014
Source: Comox Valley Record (CN BC)
Copyright: 2014 Comox Valley Record
Contact:  http://www.comoxvalleyrecord.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/784
Page: A7
Author: Erin Haluschak

MARIJUANA ISSUE SPARKS DEBATE

Speaking on behalf of the 888 (Komox) RCAF Wing, Comox resident Jack
Shapka expressed his concerns at a public hearing April 23 about the
potential of a medical marijuana production facility located near
Military Row.

"There's a lot of residential areas, especially with the PMQs
(Permanent Married Quarters). Why would we pick an area like that?" he
asked council in front of a crowd of about 25 people.

"I'm not against it, but it would make sense to put it out of that
area and in a safe place. We're not too happy about it."

The public hearing considered the rezoning application RZ 13-6:
Medical Marijuana for Medical Purposes Regulation.

The zoning amendment bylaw no. 1764 was presented to council Jan. 15
and was given first and second reading.

It proposes to permit medical marijuana only in the I2.1 aeronautical
industrial and AG1.1 agriculture zones.

In his report to council, Municipal Planner Marvin Kamenz noted with
new federal regulations that came into effect April 1, the government
states it is the responsibility of the licensee to comply with
municipal bylaws and of the municipality to conduct the relevant
inspections for compliance with local bylaws. The intention of the new
federal licensing regulations is to shift from small-scale individual
production, often conducted in single-family homes, toward large-scale
facilities within commercial-industrial setting, meeting strict
security and quality control requirements, he stated.

"Therefore, it is prudent to have the regulations in place," he
said.

Kamenz added there would be no on-site sales, and the facility would
have to be fully contained with security features in place.

Mayor Paul Ives noted he is not aware of any applications for a
facility.

* * *

Two other public hearings were held Wednesday - an Official Community
Plan Amendment bylaw no. 1771 and zoning amendment bylaw no. 1772
(park dedication; old Brooklyn School site) and OCP amendment bylaw
no. 1754 (DPA #10; amendment to add a new Great Blue Heron nesting
site).

Ives explained there is no change for underlying zoning for bylaw no.
1771, just a zoning change for the riparian areas.

In Oct. 2013, School District 71 sold the old Brooklyn School site at
1475 Noel Ave; in the lead up to the transfer, the town collaborated
with the district to obtain fee simple title to the environmentally
sensitive areas on the south, east and west sides of the parcel.

The amendment changes the subject property from institutional to
public open space.

Residents expressed their concern about future residential
development, wanting to ensure the park remains a public space.

Ives reminded the public the main park area is owned by the
school.

The second public hearing had residents concerned about large birds
around the active Comox Valley Airport.

"Airplanes and birds simply don't mix," said George Novak. "We want to
discourage the birds near the airport."

"We're not looking at changing the game plan as far as avionics go,"
Ives explained.

"We're simply updating the information in the OCP to be as accurate as
we can. It has nothing to do with the operation of the airport."

Couns. Barbara Price, Ken Grant, Maureen Swift, Hugh MacKinnon and
Mayor Paul Ives were present for the public hearing. Grant made a
motion to refer all three items to the May 7 council meeting for third
readings.
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MAP posted-by: Matt