Port McNeill continues to discuss cannabis bylaws in preparation of legalization next week.
Mayor and council have chosen to table decisions on cannabis advisory committee’s recommendations in an Oct. 1 meeting and plan to return to it later next month. The committee’s decision came out of a unanimous vote in favour of recommending zoning bylaws for cannabis cultivation.
The cannabis committee had recommended that “commercial cultivation of cannabis be permitted in only Rural 1 zone (A-1), Industrial Zone (M-1) only along Mine Road and Industrial Zone 2 (M-2),” according to a council report. Council will subsequently choose to move, second and carry a motion to accept recommendations.
Bylaw recommendations on zoning amendments come out of a committee review on a proposed framework from the District of Mission, cannabis licensing registration, and bylaw amendments made in Nanaimo.
Port McNeill municipal staff have prepared and reviewed the entire zoning bylaw and its proposed bylaw amendments. The staff have also sent letters to property owners on McNeill Road notifying residents of the ongoing discussions.
According to deputy administrator Pete Nelson-Smith, Port McNeill’s council has “tabled the decision to include amendments to the Zoning Bylaw regarding cannabis cultivation until a comprehensive review of the entire Zoning Bylaw is done.”
Nelson-Smith added that the “first reading of the draft Amendment will be at the November 19th meeting of council.” The committee will stand down until the council requires further information on the matter.
After the local election on Oct. 20 a new Port McNeill council will discuss the cannabis bylaw and the committee’s recommendations. The current mayor and council will not discuss the cannabis bylaw and will not decide whether to adopt it.