City hopes design for marijuana research facility doesn’t go to pot
City council members hope a potgrowing research and development facility winds up being as attractive as plans suggest it will be.
They described the two-storey, 50,000-square-foot building as visually appealing, but noted the city will not have any formal say over how the building looks if the necessary zoning change is made to industrial from agriculture.
That’s because the research and development complex is located on McCarthy Road, in an industrial park at the city’s far northern boundary with the District of Lake Country.
Development permits that define the form and character of a building are often required along major roads, or in town centres, to ensure a pleasing streetscape in areas with heavy pedestrian or vehicle traffic.
But development permits are not required in the north industrial park because it’s considered to be a fairly remote area.
“It’s sort of tucked away,” planner Ryan Smith told council.
Planners endorse the rezoning, saying the proposal from the Flowr corporation fits with the city’s official community plan to support economic development. The company will be one of the suppliers to the B.C. Liquor Distribution Branch, which will be the sole provider of marijuana to both private and public weed stores.
“I hope the (building’s) plans remain consistent with the kind of drawings we see here today,” said Coun. Gail Given.
“I’m really impressed with some of the imagery of what they’re proposing,” agreed Coun. Luke Stack. “I hope it comes forward as something of that nature. It would be a real boon to the area in terms of making it attractive.”
Flowr Corporation says the building’s design was intended to mimic some features of a winery.