Delta council this week reluctantly gave preliminary approval for another medical marijuana facility, this one in Tilbury.
On Monday, civic politicians agreed to see what the public had to say about a rezoning application by David Rose to open an industrial medical marijuana growing operation in the 7300-block of Vantage Way.
Canapacific Engineering Inc. would remain on the main floor of the building and the grow operation would occupy the second storey.
Medical marijuana research and development is also contemplated as a future use.
"Quite easily we could see conversation of the entire building, which could mean five or six thousand pounds per year and I don't support that attitude," said Mayor Lois Jackson. "Because we have this (new zoning bylaw) on the books does not mean people have carte blanche opportunity to have a grow operation in our industrial areas. It has to take a very special situation, in my opinion, to qualify for that."
The proposed 11,400-square-foot grow operation would be surrounded by warehouses and other businesses, including a funeral home and crematorium.
Several neighbouring property owners have already written to Delta expressing opposition, concerned about crime and a drop in property values.
Coun. Ian Paton said he's concerned about another application but wants to see the process play out and what people have to say. Council agreed, voting to send the proposal to a public hearing with only Jackson opposed at this point.
A staff report notes that with the exception of research and development, the proposed uses are consistent with the Delta's new zoning regulations.
According to the staff report, the applicant stated there would be an expected production volume of up to 22 kilograms of medical marijuana per week, serving approximately 2,000 patients.
The product would generally be transported via Canada Post, something that Jackson has previously raised as a concern.
Council recently approved another industrialscale medical marijuana grow operation, the first of its kind allowed under Delta's new stringent zoning regulations. That application by International Herbs Medical Marijuana Ltd. is for a 25,000-square-foot operation on Foster's Way on Annacis Island. The facility is surrounded by electronic fencing, video cameras, lights and other security measures.
New federal rules that took effect this spring change how medical marijuana is grown and distributed in this country. The regulations are aimed at allowing larger-scale operations over small, homebased ones.
In a pre-emptive move, Delta council passed zoning regulations prohibiting medical marijuana facilities in all zones, including agricultural, although they would be considered on a case-by-case basis. The idea was to keep any potential operation within industrial zones.
Planning staff had already told council that a number of inquiries have been received about opening grow facilities. The public hearing for the proposed Vantage Way operation will be held at municipal hall on Tuesday, June 24 at 7 p.m.
