A new cannabis production building may be coming to the community of Dover.
Council has approved a report requesting that 25877 and 25881 Winter Line Road be rezoned to permit a cannabis production facility.
The facility would take up around half of an already existing 17,500 square feet enclosed building on the property that was originally built to store onions. The operation would be contained within the building and no expansion would be able to occur due to zoning limitations.
Applicant Robert Cartier has retained the services of Greenbelt Bio consulting firm to pursue new licenses from Health Canada. The licenses being pursued at this time include a standard cultivation license to grow cannabis, a standard processing license to manufacture cannabis products and a medical sales license. The licences would enable a new commercial cannabis operation to operate from the subject lands.
Before it was put to vote, Councillor Steve Pinsonneault raised concerns about the placement of the facility, noting that it would be near some residential properties.
"There's one in Bothwell right now where the odour's terrible," said Pinsonneault. "I just want to make sure that we're not putting another resident out with the odour from this."
Planning Services Manager Ryan Jacques said the surrounding land was taken into consideration and there has been communication with residents in the area.
"Neighbours in the vicinity have all received notice of this planning meeting," said Jacques. "We did not receive any objections."
However, Pinsonneault said he had received a phone call from a concerned citizen prior to the council meeting. He added that he felt the municipality needed to be more careful when choosing where to set up cannabis facilities.
The decision was eventually passed with Pinsonneault and fellow councillors, Mark Authier, Amy Finn and John Wright all voting against it.