Plans for a medical marijuana plant just east of Chatham could take another step forward on Monday.
A report is coming to Monday night's council meeting, recommending that:
Site plan for Longwoods Rd. proposed medical marijuana facility. (Photo courtesy of Municipality of Chatham-Kent).
The Site Plan Control application to permit the construction of a 26,425 sq ft medical marijuana production facility, located at 10078 Longwoods Rd. and on the abutting farm parcel, be approved and that the site plan agreement be executed, subject to the following conditions:
a) That the facility be equipped with an industrial grade multi-stage air treatment carbon filtration system, or similar technology, to reduce and/or treat the emission of pollen, dust, and odours expelled from the facility.
b) That the existing unused driveway and culvert be removed and the ditch be restored to match the existing drainage swale along Longwoods Rd.
The subject lands are located on the south side of Longwoods Rd. between Caledonia Rd. and Centre Side Rd. in Chatham.
South view of the subject property on Longwoods Rd. (Photo courtesy of Municipality of Chatham-Kent).
A zoning bylaw amendment was approved in March that immediately allows for a medical marijuana production facility on the property, up to a maximum of 30,000 sq ft in an enclosed building (Phase 1). It also allows for an additional 120,000 sq ft for a medical marijuana production facility, once certain conditions to remove the holding symbol have been met (Phase 2).
According to the municipality's report coming to council, the applicant Curative Cannabis is proceeding with Phase 1 to demolish the existing structure located at 10078 Longwoods Rd. and replace it with a new 26,425 sq ft state-of-the-art facility.
One of the main concerns that was raised by neighbours during the zoning amendment process was the potential of smells coming from the facility. The municipality says odour mitigation is regulated stringently by Health Canada, but to further address these concerns, a condition has also been included in the site plan agreement that the facility must have an air treatment carbon filtration system.
East view of the subject property on Longwoods Rd. (Photo courtesy of Municipality of Chatham-Kent).
Another concern from members of the public was the strong lighting associated with marijuana production facilities. However, Curative Cannabis Founder Scott FitzGerald assured residents in his last presentation to council that there will be blackout curtains in the proposed greenhouse building that will block out any light.
Curative Cannabis. (Photo courtesy of the Municipality of Chatham-Kent).