Pubdate: Tue, 23 Sep 2014
Source: Windsor Star (CN ON)
Copyright: 2014 The Windsor Star
Contact:  http://www.canada.com/windsorstar/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/501
Author: Dave Battagello
Page: A8

MARIJUANA FACILITY IRKS NEIGHBOURS

A Lakeshore couple says their peaceful corner of the world has been 
shattered by construction of a large medical marijuana facility. A 
Lakeshore couple says they've spent the last several months watching 
the picturesque property they call "our little heaven" go to pot.

Ed and Gloria Burling built their 1.7 acre home just off Manning Road 
on North Rear Road over 40 years ago. They have since planted 
hundreds of trees, their own pumpkin patch and created a tranquil 
setting in their rural neighbourhood just south of Highway 401.

But they say their peaceful corner of the world has been shattered by 
construction of a large medical marijuana facility - CEN Biotech Inc. 
- - being assembled next door.

Where they used to see open fields and a clear view of the sunset, 
they now see barbed-wire fencing, a massive warehouse and an unknown future.

"The first thing I see is the unsightly chain-link fence, ugly 
building and depreciation of my property," Gloria said. "My first 
concern is why has council allowed this to go up and why weren't we notified."

Backers of the proposed medical marijuana production facility off 
Manning Road have moved ahead with plans, erecting buildings, 
installing security fencing and infrared cameras - even though more 
than 1,000 applications have been received by Health Canada for a 
licence to operate such a facility.

"We are not against medical marijuana, but what disgusts me is nobody 
has come around to ask us anything," added Ed Burling.

"They seem not to really care. All this is happening and nobody ever 
asked us our thoughts."

A second site further east along North Rear Road is also being 
prepared by CEN Biotech, next door to Bernie and Eleanor Dame who 
have lived in their home for more than 20 years.

"It's an eyesore," Bernie said. "Nobody is telling us what's going 
on. It's very frustrating. The biggest thing is depreciation of our 
property. How much noise and traffic is there going to be?"

The Burlings, Dames and a half-dozen other homeowners have retained a 
local lawyer - Bruck Easton - who last week issued a letter to 
Lakeshore Mayor Tom Bain.

The letter calls the proposed site an inappropriate venue for 
"large-scale industrial hydroponic marijuana production" since the 
lands are zoned agricultural.

Easton noted Tecumseh - which has three marijuana site applications - 
has already established a "special industrial zoning category" for 
such facilities while Lakeshore has done nothing.

The lawyer also suggested that the power and water capabilities for 
such a facility in the area are not sufficient and that neighbours 
fear odours from production. He has requested the development be 
relocated to another location zoned industrial.

"There are a number of such areas within (Lakeshore) that are 
currently underutilized," the letter said.

Lakeshore Mayor Tom Bain said the project's backers do have a 
building permit, but he was waiting on more detailed information.

"Council will be looking at the whole situation there," Bain said. 
"We are waiting for an open house they are supposed to be having and 
for them to come forward with an application on what they are doing.

"We can't make a decision when you have nothing before us to deal with."

Bain indicated the town's building inspectors have been to the site 
"periodically" and have not "reported anything back to council that's illegal."

Given the high number of applications across the country to open 
medical marijuana production facilities, Bain is concerned what's 
being created by CEN Biotech off Manning Road may end up being a waste.

"I know the federal government is not going to issue licenses to all 
these places and somebody is going to end up a loser," he said.

CEN Biotech is backed by members of the Chaaban family who reside in 
Michigan. Essex lawyer Joe Byrne is also an investor and has been 
acting as the company's spokesman.

Byrne did not return messages from The Star.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom