Port Coquitlam city council has cleared the way for a public hearing this month on a proposed medical marijuana facility.
On Monday, council unanimously gave two readings to a rezoning bylaw that, if approved, would see part of the industrial building at 1425 Kebet Way owned by Iotron converted into a pot production plant.
According to a city report, the operation would yield 2,000 kg of marijuana a year, worth some $10 million annually.
Laura Lee Richard, PoCo's director of development services, said the use would be site-specific to the Meridian Industrial Park building and a restrictive covenant would be in place on the property.
"I have no problems supporting this," Coun. Darrell Penner said, noting he would rather see the federally permitted activity in an industrial zone than on farm land.
The biggest concern the city has received is about odour control, he said, but "if that gets dealt with, I can't see why this would have any negative impact to the community at all I'm hoping and expecting this to be a flagship business in this community as far as how it can operate."
Coun. Mike Forrest said there have also been concerns about security and how the marijuana is handled. Still, he believes the proponent, Remedi Pharmaceuticals, is on top of those issues.
Remedi has yet to obtain a federal licence for the plant. A public hearing for the rezoning will be held on May 25 at PoCo city hall.
Other PoCo council news:
PLAY MONEY
Two youth groups will get $10,000 each from the city of Port Coquitlam to pay for new playground equipment and an indoor batting cage.
On Monday, city council awarded the self-help matching grants to the Coquitlam River elementary school PAC and PoCo Minor Baseball Association, for a cage at McLean Park.
TREES DOWN
The redevelopment of a popular Port Coquitlam park will mean seven trees will be felled, council was told this week.
The city has been working on the park since late 2013, adding new washrooms, a playground and plaza; it officially opened March 7. A water spray park and a renovated picnic shelter will be ready by July.
@jwarrenTC
