third reading passed

‘Size regulation is a must’: Opposition mounts for Walmart sized cannabis facilities

Dec 11, 2019 | 5:12 PM

It was standing room only at the Regional District board office as dozens of residents packed the room to express concerns about a zoning text amendment that would allow cannabis production facilities to exceed 500 metres squared in Electoral Area D.

Space restrictions limiting cannabis facilities to a maximum 500 metres squared are in place for other electoral areas, making the space provision unique to Electoral Area D.

The bylaw permits cannabis production, processing facilities and lounges on ALR land which raised continued concerns about large facilities near rural residential properties.

Trish Cory, a resident along Schafer Road, knows firsthand about those concerns. Her property is located next to the soon-to-be built 100,000 square-foot Green Amber cannabis facility.

“Our house was listed right before we found out about the massive factory beside us. We lost offers and we have been unable to sell our house,” Corey said

She told VernonMatters that her property value decreased $40,000 since the facility was proposed and her realtor expects it to decline even further.

“I don’t want this to happen to anyone else. It’s not fair, we need some protection,” she told the board.

Her plea for protection was echoed by another resident living next the Green Amber facility.

“For the people here that still have a chance, please, please size regulation is so important,” resident Magdeline Bonnici said.

Huguette Allen urged the board to preserve the land to ensure an adequate local food supply and water.

“We don’t want to have the size of Walmarts or 10 Walmarts because this is one that this bylaw would allow if it goes through. It would make it absolutely impossible for most of the people living there now growing their own food to continue doing this,” Allen said.

Allen and other residents argued that larger cannabis facilities belong in the industrial area as opposed to ALR Land. Land in Electoral Area D where the proposed amendment would apply is primarily rural farm land.

A few members in the audience including Green Amber President Jonathan Fernandez stated approving cannabis facilities should be considered on a case by case basis.

“We have to develop a balance here between what is good enough for the community but also being able to have that economic base to move forward,” he argued.

He also argued more public education on the cannabis facility operations is needed in the electoral area.

Prior to passing third reading, Electoral Area D director Rick Fairburn put forward an amendment to delete the space provision and to instead consider cannabis facilities larger than 500 metres squared on an individual basis.

“I think this is a good middle ground to enable the larger ones but only when suitable,” Hank Cameron Electoral Area E director said after the vote.

Final adoption of the bylaw is expected at a later date.

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