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Council proposes by-laws for cannabis production facility in New Tecumseth

September 2, 2021   ·   0 Comments

Council’s August 25 meeting focused primarily on a by-law amendment regarding cannabis production in New Tecumseth.

Ron Palmer from the Planning Partnership presented options for cultivating cannabis locally.

As of the July 26 meeting, the Committee of the Whole recommended “that indoor Cannabis Cultivation and/or Production Facilities; including a Greenhouse Facility be permitted in the Industrial Area/Employment Area 2 within the Town’s Official Plan.”

To begin implementation of this plan, Palmer and staff have proposed a zoning by-law which is not yet approved; the facility shall only be permitted where full municipal services are available (sewer and water systems), no other use shall be permitted on the same lot, requires a minimum set back from sensitive land use, and requires landscape planning adjacent to all lot lines.

Guy Bonney encouraged Council to restrict cannabis cultivation in industrial areas. Referencing the Planning Act, Bonney states “the Minister, Municipal Council and others should protect the agricultural resources of the Province.”

“There is an assumption that different forms of marijuana can grow on agricultural lands…the only legal form that is allowed is hemp for food or fibre purposes.”

Any other form of marijuana growth, Bonney suggests, is for drug purposes and needs to be moved to industrial lands to optimize control of its impacts.

Hemp still has an odour but because it pollinates, it doesn’t have as long of an odour as other forms.

Local resident Riva Brownstein voiced concern regarding cannabis growers in her neighbourhood.

“This is my retirement home and it really isn’t fair… we can’t go outside because it stinks.”

She asked that Council consider closing down local grow-ops until there is a more succinct plan as to how to move forward with residential cannabis growth.

The Committee’s next steps will be implementing the Zoning By-law Amendment and holding a statutory public meeting to adopt this Amendment.

By Jessica Laurenza

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