Pubdate: Fri, 13 Jun 2014
Source: Delta Optimist (CN BC)
Copyright: 2014 Lower Mainland Publishing Group Inc
Contact:  http://www.delta-optimist.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1265
Author: Sandor Gyarmati

DELTA CONSIDERS ANOTHER MARIJUANA APPLICATION

Tilbury Proposal Sent to Public Hearing Later This Month

Delta council this week reluctantly gave preliminary approval for 
another medical marijuana facility, this one in Tilbury.

On Monday, civic politicians agreed to see what the public had to say 
about a rezoning application by David Rose to open an industrial 
medical marijuana growing operation in the 7300-block of Vantage Way.

Canapacific Engineering Inc. would remain on the main floor of the 
building and the grow operation would occupy the second storey.

Medical marijuana research and development is also contemplated as a 
future use.

"Quite easily we could see conversation of the entire building, which 
could mean five or six thousand pounds per year and I don't support 
that attitude," said Mayor Lois Jackson. "Because we have this (new 
zoning bylaw) on the books does not mean people have carte blanche 
opportunity to have a grow operation in our industrial areas. It has 
to take a very special situation, in my opinion, to qualify for that."

The proposed 11,400-square-foot grow operation would be surrounded by 
warehouses and other businesses, including a funeral home and crematorium.

Several neighbouring property owners have already written to Delta 
expressing opposition, concerned about crime and a drop in property values.

Coun. Ian Paton said he's concerned about another application but 
wants to see the process play out and what people have to say. 
Council agreed, voting to send the proposal to a public hearing with 
only Jackson opposed at this point.

A staff report notes that with the exception of research and 
development, the proposed uses are consistent with the Delta's new 
zoning regulations.

According to the staff report, the applicant stated there would be an 
expected production volume of up to 22 kilograms of medical marijuana 
per week, serving approximately 2,000 patients.

The product would generally be transported via Canada Post, something 
that Jackson has previously raised as a concern.

Council recently approved another industrial scale medical marijuana 
grow operation, the first of its kind allowed under Delta's new 
stringent zoning regulations. That application by International Herbs 
Medical Marijuana Ltd. is for a 25,000-square-foot operation on 
Foster's Way on Annacis Island. The facility is surrounded by 
electronic fencing, video cameras, lights and other security measures.

New federal rules that took effect this spring change how medical 
marijuana is grown and distributed in this country. The regulations 
are aimed at allowing larger-scale operations over small, homebased ones.

In a pre-emptive move, Delta council passed zoning regulations 
prohibiting medical marijuana facilities in all zones, including 
agricultural, although they would be considered on a case-by-case 
basis. The idea was to keep any potential operation within industrial zones.

Planning staff had already told council that a number of inquiries 
have been received about opening grow facilities. The public hearing 
for the proposed Vantage Way operation will be held at municipal hall 
on Tuesday, June 24 at 7 p.m.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom