Pubdate: Tue, 16 Dec 2014
Source: Sun Times, The (Owen Sound, CN ON)
Copyright: 2014 Owen Sound Sun Times
Contact: http://www.owensoundsuntimes.com/letters
Website: http://www.owensoundsuntimes.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1544
Author: Denis Langlois
Page: A1

CITY PLANS POT RULES MEETING

Owen Sound has kick-started a process that could establish areas of
the city where Health Canada approved medical marijuana production
facilities are permitted.

City council approved a staff recommendation Monday night to hold a
public meeting on a proposed zoning bylaw amendment that, if approved,
would allow the buildings on industrial lands that meet certain criteria.

Pam Coulter, the city's director of community services, said city hall
has received some "very real enquiries" related to the production
facilities but no formal applications to build one.

She said there are advantages to triggering the amendment process
before an application is presented to city hall.

"I think being proactive always lets you have time to be thoughtful
and considerate about an issue as opposed to being reactive," she said
in an interview Monday afternoon.

Also, if the amendment is in place, city staff will be able to show a
potential developer the local requirements for the production facility
as soon as they show an interest in building one in the community, she
said.

The proposed amendment would add medical marijuana production
facilities as a permitted use in both the general and heavy industrial
zones of the city. Those zones are primarily in Owen Sound's
industrial park, which is north east of Heritage Place mall, and near
East Bayshore Road. The facilities, under the amendment, would have to
be at least 70 metres from any residential zone, school, church or
daycare.

"The proposed zoning bylaw amendment to permit MMPFs within the
industrial zones of the urban area of the city, on full municipal
services, diversifies the employment uses and promotes opportunities
for economic development within the city," says a report to council
from Coulter.

After the public meeting, the next step in the amendment process is
for staff to present a report and recommendation to council, which
will then decide whether or not to approve the change.

Health Canada introduced regulations in June 2013 to permit
larger-scale medical marijuana production facilities. The producers
must be licensed by Health Canada and the facilities must meet certain
requirements around quality control and security.

Coulter said the federal government has allowed municipalities to
decide where the facilities can be located.

City council had little to say about moving forward with a public
meeting on the proposed bylaw amendment for Owen Sound.

Coun. Scott Greig asked why the city is proceeding with the amendment,
saying it's a bit like preparing for a National Hockey League
expansion team that may or may not come to a community.

Coulter said the city wants "to be prepared" in case an application is
presented.

Coun. Travis Dodd asked about the security measures that would be in
place for such a facility.

Coulter said Health Canada has set very strict requirements, which
include fencing, security cameras and indoor loading and storage.
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MAP posted-by: Matt