Whereas a greenhouse operation is currently under construction on Agricultural Zoned land in Oldcastle which is proposed to be used for the cultivation of cannabis plants; and
Whereas following a presentation to Council by concerned citizens on October 22, 2019, regarding the potential impacts to the community regarding cannabis facilities, Council passed a motion referring the matter “to Administration for review and to report back to Council”; and
Whereas Administration partially addressed this matter by way of Report Number PBS-2020-24 wherein it was recommended that lands zoned Agricultural Zone in designated settlement areas be amended to prohibit, among other things, green house operations; and
Whereas a statutory public meeting was held to consider a change to the zoning by-law to give effect to the recommendation in Report Number PBS-2020-24; and
Whereas the Draft New Official Plan establishes that cannabis greenhouses would only be permitted on Agricultural lands subject to a site specific zoning by-law amendment that would have regard to, among other things, ‘the introduction of appropriate design details mitigating potential adverse impacts from odour and night light, with the ability to include appropriate terms in a site plan agreement to address such issues”; and
Whereas the Town of Kingsville has recently passed a by-law under the Municipal Act regulating public nuisances from odours and lighting resulting from the cultivation of cannabis plants; and
Whereas it is appropriate and in the best interests of the Town, residents, stakeholders and directly affected property owners that the Town consider the preparation of a By-law that will address and regulate nuisances related to odour and lighting from the cultivation of cannabis plants;
Now Therefore Be It Hereby Resolved:
That Administration review and report back to Council on the appropriateness of a By-law in accordance with the Municipal Act that will address and regulate nuisances related to odour and lighting from the cultivation of cannabis plants; and
That Administration investigate opportunities to consider the matter with the other municipalities in Essex County to try to seek a common regional regulatory approach.