Pubdate: Tue, 22 Sep 2015
Source: Nanaimo Daily News (CN BC)
Copyright: 2015 Nanaimo Daily News
Contact:  http://www.canada.com/nanaimodailynews/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1608
Author: Darrell Bellaart
Page: 7

REGIONAL DISTRICT WANTS INPUT ON CANNABIS

Some Residents Aren't Pleased With the Idea of Having Large-Scale 
Operations Next Door

Growing medical marijuana is a designated farm use in B.C., and that 
worries some residents in rural areas around Nanaimo.

The Regional District of Nanaimo is staging a series of open houses 
to get input on proposed regulations to control industrial cannabis 
farming on the Agricultural Land Reserve.

Some of those at the first of six such hearings, held in Cedar, 
didn't like the idea of having large-scale pot operations next door.

"Personally I would like to see them remain on industrial land, 
because they're sizable plants, right now - like Tilray, out at Duke 
Point," said George Benson, who manages a weekly Cedar Farmers Market 
in the field next to the Crow and Gate Pub.

The RDN heard similar concerns from people who turned out for 
hearings on the subject Sept. 14 at Cedar Community Hall and again 
the following day at Lighthouse Community Hall in Qualicum Beach.

"Currently, with provincial ALR regulations, production of medical 
marijuana is a designated farm use," said Kristy Marks, RDN senior planner.

The RDN wants feedback on proposed zoning regulations it says would 
better support agriculture in the region.

"In general, there tends to be support for the potential changes we drafted."

Local government can't rewrite provincial ALR rules, but it can put 
in zoning laws to control things like setbacks from property lines.

Current zoning requires a 30-metre setback for such facilities. A 
draft RDN bylaw would require medical marijuana production facility 
setbacks increased to 60 metres from non-ALR parcels, and 150 metres 
from uses like parks and schools, Marks said.

Area farmers, residents and other members of the public are invited 
to take part in the in the Agriculture Bylaw and Policy Updates 
Project, including an online survey, to be found at 
www.growingourfuture.ca, and at the continuing series of community 
events through mid-October.

The hearings continue: Sept. 28 at Arrowsmith Hall in Coombs, Oct. 1, 
at Nanoose Bay Elementary School, Oct. 5 at Mountain View Elementary 
School in Nanaimo, and Oct. 8 at Oceanside Place multipurpose room, Parksville.

All events are 4:30-7:30 p.m., with a presentation at 6:30 p.m.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom