Pubdate: Sat, 03 Jan 2015
Source: Niagara Falls Review, The (CN ON)
Copyright: 2015 Niagara Falls Review
Contact: http://www.niagarafallsreview.ca/letters
Website: http://www.niagarafallsreview.ca
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2907
Author: Tony Ricciuto
Page: A3

RESIDENTS OPPOSE MEDICAL MARIJUANA FACILITIES

Both Applications Appealed

Niagara Falls Review The owners of two properties in Niagara Falls 
who were hoping to eventually be allowed to grow medical marijuana on 
those properties might want to consider other options.

Residents turned out in full force at a special meeting of council on 
Friday to let those owners know they drastically oppose the idea.

In addition, councillors have also let staff know they were not 
pleased with the way this matter was dealt with in the first place.

"No one knew about it," said Coun. Carolyn Ioannoni. "I feel extremely duped."

On Dec. 16, the city's committee of adjustment approved two zoning 
variances, one for the former Redpath Sugar plant at 5855 Garner Rd. 
and the other was for the former Kimberly Clark factory at 4431 Victoria Ave

e owners of both buildings applied to the committee so that a 
"nursery for trees, plants and shrubs" could be added to the list of 
permitted uses on those properties.

The application for the Garner Rd., property was made by Garlund 
Properties Inc., on behalf of Bruce Peters and Henry Muller.

The application for the Victoria Ave., property was made by Ricky Pilutti.

The city had posted advance notices about that public meeting, but 
the notices did not specifically mention marijuana.

Ioannoni said the December meeting would have been packed, but 
residents were deceived because they were not given the full story.

"We the neighbours, never saw this coming," said Steve Abbruscato, 
who lives in the area and spoke on behalf of residents who live near 
Fernwood Estates, not far from the former Redpath plant on Garner Rd.

He noted it would be "a terrible mistake" to put such a facility in 
that location because there are many young children in the area, 
there are many large beautiful homes, property values would drop and 
it would also discourage future development.

Council heard that a developer has already filed an appeal to the 
Ontario Municipal Board, which handles planning disputes.

City clerk Dean Iorfida was away during Friday's meeting so his 
duties were handled by Ken Todd, the city's Chief Executive Officer.

Todd explained how the city deals with zoning applications and what 
are some of the permitted uses when a parcel of land is zoned 
agricultural or industrial. He also pointed out that Health Canada 
looks after the licensing of medical marijuana facilities, and how 
difficult it is to obtain one of those licenses because of the strict 
regulations that have to be followed.

Todd said this issue is new to many municipalities and that 
Niagara-on-the-Lake has two of these facilities.

A number of councillors made it known they are not against medical 
marijuana, and that it helps some people who have certain medical 
conditions, but they are opposed to where some of these facilities 
might be located.

Coun. Kim Craitor, a former MPP, said the city actually has a lot of 
say in these types of cases because once Health Canada sees that a 
municipality is opposed to an application, the owners of the property 
will have a difficult time ever getting a licence.

Council passed a motion to appeal both applications and asked for a 
staff report so they will have more information when dealing with 
this issue in the future.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom