Council in Prince Edward County has eased a number of by-laws for existing licensed cannabis production and processing facilities.
At a meeting in June, council wanted to make sure existing facilities were not restricted from expanding, and expressed that proposed setbacks were too excessive.
There were also concerns certain sensitive land uses and zones were not considered as part of the by-laws.
The following changes have been made to the Cannabis Production and Processing by-law including adding a Future Development Zone; arenas, hospitals and public parks to the sensitive uses to be set back from cannabis production and processing facilities, a 70-metre setback for cannabis production, with air treatment, in industrial zones from sensitive use zones boundaries and/or lot line, a 150 metre setback for cannabis production, with air treatment, in rural zones from sensitive use zones boundaries and/or lot line, and a 500 metre setback for cannabis production without air treatment in rural and industrial zones from sensitive use zone boundaries and/or lot line.
Staff noted including the additional sensitive uses and the Future Development Zone will ensure that there are the appropriate separations between cannabis production faculties and current/future sensitive uses. Parcels that are zoned Future Development are intended for development so it is important a cannabis production and processing facility is set back from these zones to allow for their proper development.
The proposed setbacks of 1000 metres and 500 metres originally were found to be very restrictive while also having the ability to sterilize the entire county from the use.
