Pubdate: Thu, 07 Mar 2013
Source: Oliver Chronicle (CN BC)
Copyright: 2013 Oliver Chronicle
Contact:  http://www.oliverchronicle.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/875

TOWN OPEN TO MARIJUANA PRODUCTION FACILITY

The Town of Oliver says it's open for business, even if it means 
siting a medical marijuana production facility here.

That was the message last week when council agreed to consider any 
application to locate a federally licensed marijuana facility in 
Oliver. Such cultivation would be considered as an agricultural use 
and be restricted to these zones (or site-specific use).

Municipal Manager Tom Szalay said the Town received an enquiry from a 
southern Alberta caller asking if Oliver would consider such an application.

Last year the federal government announced changes to the way 
Canadians will be able to access marijuana for medical purposes. 
Szalay said the new regulations are expected to be finalized this 
spring and take effect next year. In the meantime, Health Canada is 
working on rules governing how individuals can legally possess or 
produce marijuana for medical purposes. These licences will allow 
people to apply for special permits to grow their own supply of 
marijuana or grow it for someone else.

"Personally, I'm not sure if we want this," said Councillor Jack 
Bennest. "Do we really want to get into this game?"

Fellow Councillor Dave Mattes said this is the ultimate question: "Do 
we want this type of business in Oliver?"

But water councillor Rick Machial said the Town should not turn its 
back on business and potential jobs. "Just because it's marijuana 
doesn't make it bad." Fellow councillor Andre Miller said he doesn't 
see anything wrong with it, adding it's no different than growing mushrooms.

But Szalay said the Town's zoning does not contemplate this type of 
use. But Councillor Linda Larson said they could deal with any 
application as a one-off (one time) proposal as opposed to changing the bylaw.

Regional district planner Christopher Garrish said a temporary use 
permit can be considered as well. He pointed out that marijuana is 
deemed an agricultural crop.

Szalay explained the government's intention is to get marijuana 
production out of people's garages and into facilities where they can 
be monitored and controlled. He noted such a facility in Oliver would 
look like any industrial building with a chain link fence and TV 
cameras for security.

Szalay reminded council about the property taxes the Town would 
receive if a facility located here.

For example, if a $500,000 building was constructed, the taxes would 
be $2,664.94, however, that would drop to $854 if the operation 
received a farm status. He noted BC Assessment indicates it would 
qualify as a farm operation.

Szalay confirmed that such a facility would not allow end users on 
site purchasing marijuana. Whatever is produced would be shipped out.

Mattes said the Town should welcome such a business here, noting he 
doesn't see more risk compared to the new correctional centre coming to Oliver.

Council requested Szalay to contact the interested parties and let 
them know the Town is open for business and will consider their application.

Szalay explained that Health Canada is not required under the Medical 
Marijuana Access Regulation to notify local governments of issued 
licences within the local jurisdiction.

"Therefore, the local government has no knowledge of the operation 
and is not able to inspect the operations to ensure they are in 
compliance with building, fire and electrical safety regulations, or 
to confirm that the operation is a permitted use in the zoning bylaw."

Szalay said local governments typically become aware of medical 
marijuana operations after investigating complaints from neighbours 
or through the RCMP.

The district of Sechelt recently rejected a zoning amendment that 
would have permitted commercial production facilities in industrial 
zones, but excluded them from residential and agricultural zones.

The city of Coquitlam adopted zoning amendments that limit such 
facilities to industrial zones, while reinforcing that personal 
production of medical marijuana is permitted in all residential zones.

Szalay confirmed the Town has not received an application, only a query.

Under the existing zoning regulations, such an operation would only 
be permitted in an agricultural zone. However, Szalay said the use 
may better fit into the industrial zone. Before this can happen, the 
permitted uses in the industrial zone or at least on one property 
would have to be changed to allow this use.

He noted that council resolves to exclude any marijuana production 
facilities from residential zones.

In support of their proposal, the proponent stated the facility will 
be inspected by Health Canada prior to receiving a licence and at any 
point thereafter to ensure safety and health standards.

Security will include 24-hour video surveillance, and air filtration 
requirements will ensure there are no odours emitted from the operation.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom