Process underway for medical marijuana facility

The process to consider a proposed medical marijuana facility on Garrison Road in Fort Erie has been sparked.

A public meeting is scheduled for Thursday at 6 p.m. at town hall about the property owner’s application for a reduction in required parking spaces at the site if all necessary approvals are given.

It is being requested that 30 spaces are created rather than 72 at the 7,155-square metre piece of land at 2043 Garrison Rd.

The purpose of Thursday’s meeting isn’t to debate the use of the property as a medical marijuana grow operation, which is already a permitted use because it is considered agricultural lands.

“There’s no need for a public meeting on the use,” said Rick Brady, the Town of Fort Erie’s director of community and development services.

Medical marijuana grow operations are also allowed on industrial properties in Fort Erie.

The parking issue at the site is a matter dealt with by the Town’s committee of adjustment, a group of seven appointed citizens responsible for hearing applications for minor variances from local bylaws and for matters related to the severance of land.

At this point in the process, Brady feels his department is satisfied with what has taken place to date.

“Planning staff will be supportive of the reduction to 30 parking spaces,” said Brady, the municipality’s head planner.

Aside from the proponent acquiring the necessary federal approvals to get growing, council and staff will need to endorse a site plan before handing out a building permit, the final step.

Brady says the proposed facility is permitted under local bylaws, following amendments made in 2014 to begin allowing medical marijuana operations to consider setting up in Fort Erie.

“To me, it’s a greenhouse,” said Brady.

“We don’t want them in residential areas,” he added.

Brady also said there are three other proposed grow operations “at one stage or another” on the municipality’s radar, including Cannacure, a large-scale operation at the former Pharmetics building on Jarvis Street, a project approved by the last term of council in 2014 that is still waiting for a green light from Health Canada, according to Brady.

The other sites are behind Safari Niagara in Stevensville and a greenhouse on Huise Road, according to Brady.

The public meeting on Thursday will be held in the council chambers and is open to the public.

More information can also be obtained by contacting the planning department during business hours at 905-871-1600, ext. 2508.

There’s no need for a public meeting on the use.”

Rick Brady, the Town of Fort Erie’s director of community and development services