Pubdate: Thu, 19 Dec 2013
Source: Nanaimo Daily News (CN BC)
Copyright: 2013 Nanaimo Daily News
Contact:  http://www.canada.com/nanaimodailynews/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1608
Author: Spencer Anderson

CITY EXPECTS TO ISSUE PERMIT

Medicinal pot facility slated for Duke Point

City of Nanaimo officials expect to issue a building permit for a new
medical marijuana facility in the Duke Point area next month. City
staff members also expect to receive confirmation from the province
soon that a covenant tied to land rezoning for the development has
been formally registered. Once that step is complete, the city intends
to formally adopt land use changes to allow capital work on the
project to proceed.

Lafitte Ventures, a B.C. company, wants to set up a medical marijuana
production facility at 1100 Maughan Rd., which is currently zoned I2
'light industrial.' The company wants the zoning changed to I4
'industrial,' which the city had previously designated as the
appropriate zoning for marijuana production. However, the city became
aware earlier this year that property owners running marijuana
facilities could apply to have their property assessed under 'farm
status,' meaning the land would be assessed at a comparatively much
lower rate.

That lead to fears from city officials that Nanaimo's industrial tax
base could be gradually eroded. Council has since voted to remove
marijuana production as an I4 zone land use.

However, the city is moving forward with a site-specific rezoning to
allow the Lafitte proposal to go ahead, along with a covenant that
would restrict land use at the Maughan Road site to medical marijuana
production only. Lafitte supports the measure, and representatives for
the company have publicly stated they do not intend to apply for 'farm
status.' The company aims to begin production by spring and will
retrofit an existing warehouse building into their facility.

Mayor John Ruttan and councillors said Monday they are willing to hold
a special council meeting before Christmas to give final adoption to
rezoning for the land.
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MAP posted-by: Matt