Controversial cannabis facility gets app

Controversial cannabis facility gets approval from RDNO

Mar 7, 2019 | 3:10 PM

A controversial cannabis production facility located near Lumby is now a step closer to becoming a reality.

The Regional District of the North Okanagan voted to forward the company’s application to the Agricultural Land Commission on Wednesday.

” This application is compliant with our zoning by-law and for that reason alone, this applicant deserves a chance to apply to the Agricultural Land Commission,” said Electoral Area “D” director Rick Fairbairn.

The Regional District of the North Okanagan has passed a motion to forward the Green Amber cannabis facility application to the Agricultural Land Commission #northokanagan #cannabis pic.twitter.com/OjHZpylVyA

— Tiffany Goodwein (@CityNewsTiffany) March 7, 2019

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The vote was passed with directors Kevin Acton, Hank Cameron, Bob Fleming, Brian Schreiner, and Jim Garlick, voting in opposition.

” I’m speaking against the motion to move it forward today to the ALR simply because the size and the scale to me simply doesn’t fit the community’s needs,” said RDNO Chair Kevin Acton.

The proposed 108,000 sq. foot property located on 95 Schafer road has been at the center of controversy since the company Green Amber Canada Corp bought the property.

Residents have expressed concerns about how the facility would impact water, roadways, property values and safety in their neighborhood.

They have also said that they have been dissatisfied with the lack of public consultation on the issue.

Lots of people here at the RDNO . They are discussing the ALR application regarding the controversial 108,000 sq ft Cannabis facility located near Lumby #vernonbc #northokanagan pic.twitter.com/56BkxiDQda

— Tiffany Goodwein (@CityNewsTiffany) March 7, 2019

Over a dozen residents showed up to hear the decision come to a vote.

” I really feel for everybody that has been getting caught in this, but it is not us , I don’t feel like it is us at the regional table that should be making the decision, I feel it is the ALC that should be making the decision because they are the ones that changed the rules in the middle of the game, ” said Spallumcheen Mayor Christine Fraser.

The Ministry of Agriculture made changes last July that allows local and First Nations governments the ability to prohibit or approve large scale cannabis production facilities on ALR land if certain conditions are met.

The RDNO says they will include concerns from nearby residents in their application to the Agricultural Land Commission.

” We’ve received a lot of emails , a lot of concern, and a lot of information, ” said RDNO Chair Kevin Acton.

The decision is now in the hands of Agricultural Land Commission for final approval.