Pubdate: Wed, 19 Aug 2015
Source: Standard Freeholder (Cornwall, CN ON)
Copyright: 2015 Cornwall Standard Freeholder
Contact: http://www.standard-freeholder.com/letters
Website: http://www.standard-freeholder.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1169
Author: Greg Peerenboom,
Page: A2

Planning Advisory Committee

SET CRITERIA FOR MED MARIJUANA FACILITIES

The city has drafted criteria that will guide the possible 
development of medical marijuana producing facilities.

Following considerable research into this 'growing' industry, city 
councillors will be asked at Monday's planning advisory committee 
meeting to add a new definition to the city's zoning bylaw.

Prepared by senior planner Mary Joyce-Smith, the definitions will 
have these specific requirements for medical pot plants:

* operations would be entirely indoor, including storage, within a 
licensed building,

* private residences cannot be utilized,

* specific land availability would be confined to the Business Park 
on manufacturing zones 30 and 40: north to south from Highway 401 to 
Tenth Street East; west to east from the residential zoning boundary 
east of McConnell Avenue to Boundary Road, and there should 150-metre 
setbacks from residential and institutional zoning,

* properties must be fenced in and subject to individual site plan 
control to address parking and loading,

* be equipped with outdoor surveillance equipment,

* provide notification of Health Canada license application and 
granting to the city,

* provide notice to fire department and city police.

Joyce-Smith reported that new definitions are needed after new 
federal regulations were issued by Health Canada in April 2014.

As Health Canada considers marijuana production as 'pharmaceutical 
grade', research indicated a commercial marijuana facility would need 
to be in an industrial area under a controlled environment, she reported.

Four private entities have expressed interest in developing a 
marijuana facility, according to Cornwall's economic development department.

Smiths Falls is already home to a large marijuana facility, the 
former Hershey chocolate plant.

The public can provide input into the proposed definitions at a 
public meeting that preceded the planning advisory committee at city 
hall, 7 p.m. Monday.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom