Milton Town Council has voted to receive a report regarding zoning by law amendments for cannabis production and processing.
On Monday night, a public meeting was held which allowed councillors to ask questions and for members of the public to address their concerns.
Councillor John Challinor brought up the concern of distances.
Challinor is also concerned about distances from another agricultural piece of land.
Delegate Betty Robertson discusses concerns about odour.
Retrofits have been recommended to the Town.
Robertson says that retrofits of existing greenhouse facilities are notorious for having problems and upgrades may not be successful.
She adds that mitigation as mentioned in the town proposal is not a federal requirement of elimination.
Robertson hopes that the Town will learn how to handle cannabis production from other municipalities.
She adds that in Niagara distances are set at 1.5 kms.
Milton’s is a 70 metre distance from sensitive use industrial areas and 150 metres of separation from rural and agricultural areas.
MHBC Planning, who prepared the report for council, say there are variables in separation distances when comparing municipalities.
Regarding options, MHBC Planning recommended that Milton pursue the following option
“To permit cannabis production and processing facilities in employment and rural/agricultural areas, subject to specific provisions and regulations related to the use; place Cannabis production and processing facilities under site plan control, and identify additional studies required associated with development applicants for use.”
Zoning by law amendments include:
1. Make a new definition for cannabis production and processing facility.
2. Allow stores in both industrial and residential areas as long as there is a 70 metre distance from sensitive uses within industrial areas, 150 metres of separation from rural and agricultural areas, prohibit outdoor storage and standalone Cannabis processing facilities are not allowed in agricultural areas.
3. Make sure that development is in accordance to its specific
4. Stores are subject to site plan control
5. Applicants have to submit an odour and dust impact assessment, light impact assessment, transportation impact study, hydrogeological studies and any other appropriate studies identified by the Town through the pre-consultation process.
6. Outdoor Cannabis cultivation will be allowed in agricultural zones.
