Okanagan Falls pot plant project given green light
6,300-square-metre medical marijuana production facility to be built on site of old Weyerhaeuser mill
A narrow vote Thursday gave the go-ahead to a development permit for a 6,300-square-metre medical marijuana production facility at the old Weyerhaeuser mill site in Okanagan Falls.
Two greenhouses and an administrative building are to be built on the land zoned for heavy industrial use by Sunniva Medical Inc., an organization founded by Poplar Grove Winery owner Tony Holler, who is also aiming for a similar facility on Osoyoos Indian Band land.
The permit passed by a 4-3 vote of rural directors on the board of the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen.
Opposition votes were cast by Area B (Cawston) director George Bush, Area D (Okanagan FallsKaleden) director Tom Siddon and Area G (rural Keremeos-Hedley) director Elef Christensen.
Siddon raised concerns about the facility overlying the Okanagan Falls Irrigation District’s aquifer, though an additional study was done by Sunniva above and beyond what was required for a development permit. Siddon said he was not against the development but thinks it is being rushed through the process.
“I think it’s premature. I think today is too early to give approval to a development permit which has not been fully and properly discussed within the community,” Siddon said.
An open house meeting was held April 5 at the Penticton Lakeside Resort.
RDOS chairwoman Karla Kozakevich pointed out there is no obligation from the board to seek public opinion on a development permit, considering the board voted on March 15 to include cannabis production in industrial zones.
RDOS development services manager Brad Dollevoet said Sunniva hosted an open house of its own accord and went “far and above” requirements, commissioning its own studies on the impacts to transportation and water in the area.
“Municipalities in B.C. do not go to the public for a development permit. There have been lawsuits in the past that have occurred to the city where they’ve gone to public notification for development permits,” Dollevoet said.
Area F (West Bench) director Michael Brydon noted Sunniva’s site has long been used by industry.
“The decision about what goes there has been made by the community a long time ago. Heavy industrial permits almost everything. What the community has said by zoning it heavy industrial is put whatever you want there as long as it brings economic development,” said Brydon.
“I’m sensitive to (Siddon’s) concerns on this, but I believe his concerns are largely personal.”