Pubdate: Thu, 31 Jul 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: Charelle Evelyn

COUNCIL TAKES ROLE IN GROW APPROVALS

Dubious distinction or not, future medical marijuana magnates will
have to go before council if they want to set up shop.

On Wednesday night, city council blazed through a unanimous vote to
move to the public hearing stage a draft zoning bylaw restricting
where new federally licensed production facilities can go.

The potential legislation would create a new zoning category -
narcotics - in the city's greenbelt, agriculture and forestry and
light, general and business industrial zones. Specifically, the zoning
would be looked at for properties in the Agricultural Land Reserve
larger than 15 hectares and in the BCR, Danson and Boundary Road
industrial parks.

A key component of the bylaw would be for any applications to come
before council and a public hearing.

Having the applications approved in a public setting means there won't
be any surprises for neighbours, said Coun. Cameron Stolz.

Coun. Dave Wilbur said he was happy to see the stipulations in the
bylaw that would require a one-kilometre setback from any residential
or correctional services property lines for facilities in land zoned
as greenbelt or agriculture and forestry. Internal setbacks would be
set at 30 metres for the agricultural zones and three metres for
operations on industrial lands.

"It seems to be clear that it will be apparent to anyone that is
considering this kind of application for a medical marijuana grow
operation what the go and stop signs are all about," Wilbur said.

The city doesn't actually have a say in what businesses crop up under
Health Canada's new Marijuana for Medical Purposes Regulation, but the
zoning gives a municipality some control over where in the city they
end up. Another element of the proposed bylaw change will be that no
business licence or building permits are issued until the city gets
confirmation that a specific grow operation has been federally licensed.

Health Canada's rules also regulate security measures and the methods
by which any cannabis can be destroyed. City business licences and
building permits will also require that a qualified professional
provides a ventilation plan to keep any offensive odours from leaving
the building.

With first and second reading passed, the draft legislation will be
sent to the Agricultural Land Commission for review before coming back
to council for a public hearing where residents can comment on the new
rules.
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MAP posted-by: Matt