B® COUNCIL TOWN MAKES MOVE TO REGULATE CANNABIS PRODUCTION BAMBANG SADEWO bsadewo@metroland.com Following council's de- cision to allow legal canna- bis stores, the Town of Mil- ton continues to work on a policy framework to regu- late and zone cannabis pro- duction and processing fa- cilities. "We want to make sure that we're being proactive and not reactive to canna- bis producers," said" Jill Hogan, the town's director of policy planning, at the start of the discussion on Monday, Nov. 18. Urban planner MHBC Planning was hired by the town to prepare a research background report, op- tions analysis and recom- mendations in Official Plan policy and zoning by law amendments by taking into account Milton rural and urban structure as well as a best practice re- view of other municipali ties. Among the proposed amendments, cannabis producing and processing facilities will be permitted in industrial/employment areas with a 70-metre sep aration distance from sen- sitive uses -- and in rural agricultural areas with a 150-metre separation. Outdoor cannabis culti- vation will be permitted in agricultural zones -- some- thing that 1s federally reg- ulated though it won't extend to outdoor storage. Fri Savings Shutterstock photo 2 Town of Milton works on a policy framework to regulate and zone cannabis production. "Any application would be subject to site plan con- trol, which gives the mu- nicipality the opportunity to review the site plan and approve the site plan," said Kelly Martel of MHBC, adding that applicants ill have to submit studies on odour, dust, transportation and water use impacts and others identified ap- propriate by town staff dur- ing the preconsultation process. Black "This 1s the that mostof the municipal ities we reviewed are pul suing," Martel said At the meeting, delegate Betty Robertson voiced her concerns over the pro posed amendments Representing Nassaga weya Community CoWsul tation Committee, Robert son said that the biggest is sue for cannabis produc tion and revolves around odour and how some liken it to "living next to 10.000 skunks." "If a pot farm is located across the street from Mo- hawk or across the street ipproach processing from the Terre Bleu laven-- der farm, do we just say 'that's too bad'? What about beside Hilton falls? No one wants to go for a hike if it stinks," she said. "We recommend that the town learn from the knowledge gained by other municipalities that have experience in dealing with odour issues," Robertson said. The rural Miltonian is also worried about waste, Thursday & Friday ay 35% PANDORA SOMETHING ABOUT YOU / BRAMALEA CITY CENTRE SQUARE ONE SHOPPING CENTRE id i) MARIJUANA PRODUCTION IN TOWN OCAL IMPACT. SOME OF THE CONCERNS RAISED INCLUDE ODOUR AND EMISSION emission and pollution from cannabis-growing fa- cilities, suggesting the town should reach out to other municipalities that may have dealt with such Issues. "That discussion can in- form us about the risk, the scale we may accept for such a facility and whether or not we should require an emission waste management plan from the applicant," she said. Prior to opening the floor to public, Coun. John Challinor said that the pro- posed 150-metre separation distances between the can- Saturday, Sunday Monday & Tuesday MAPLEVIEW CENTRE 05.6 52.5400 ERIN MILLS TOWN CENTRE Q0O5828 5902 nabis facilities and othe agricultural piece of land aren't sufficient "I just think of the possi bility of cannabis growing next door and cattle next door stuff happens. Crops do hop," he said. Coun. Sameera Ali said she wants to see thé report include any available stud- ies on the effect that such cannabis facilities have on the value of homes in neighbouring subdivi- sions. "That'd be very benefi- cial on a town like Milton that relies alot on (develop- ment) charges," she said. The matter will be dis- cussed further by council in the first quarter of 2020. STORY BEHIND THE STORY We've followed the marijuana legalization issue through council | meetings in the past year. After the decision to allow retail sales, | the latest discussion is on { marijuana production and | processing facilities: Offer avallable 11/28/19 «12/03/19 receive 25% off total purchase of any full price items in-store. 11/28/19 = 11/29/19 only: receive 35% off total purchase of any full price items in-store Wine 12/01/19 receive 25% off total purchase of any full price items online, Offer excludes Harry. Potter and Pandora Me Collection and Holiday Gift Sets. While supplies last. Valid only at participating Pandora retailers and ie dus Ing specified dates. Vold where prohibited. Selection may vary by store. Not valid on purchase of gift card/e-cards or prior purchases. Cannot be combined with any other offers. Other restrictions may fpply, see store for details © 2019 Pandora Jewelry, LLC + All rights reserved 6 uoidwey) ueipeuen uoiW 1aquiaaoN 'Aepsiny | 7 ( 6102 '8 Woo uo}jeyapisul