For Mulmur council, this is a buzzkill.
After approving a former rose farmers plan to operate a medical marijuana facility on lands straddling Mulmur and Adjala-Tosorontio earlier this summer, the townships decision has been appealed to the Ontario Municipal Board (OMB).
It was unanimous around our council table, lamented Mulmur Mayor Paul Mills. For economic development in our township, we feel it will be great.
Andy Enderlein, the owner of Enderlein nurseries, approached Mulmur in 2014 asking for permission to convert his business located along Mulmur-Tosorontio Townline into a medical marijuana facility.
The land on the Adjala-Tosorontio side of the property was already zoned agricultural. However, the nursery required rezoning before any construction could begin on Mulmur’s side of the road.
Theres a need for it, Enderlein told The Banner in July. Medical marijuana is new and up and coming.
The facility, which is expected to employ more than 20 people, would be housed in a 10,000 square-foot industrial building. In addition to creating jobs, Mills noted the facility would broaden to the municipalitys tax base.
I just think it is another industry that we need, the mayor said. It is being pushed by the feds and the restrictions are just so tight on everything.
The nursery has been growing roses for more than 30 years, but Enderlein decided to apply for a medical marijuana growing licence through Health Canada three years ago after business began to slow.
We were the largest grower of garden roses in Canada. We exported to the states as well, but three or four years back, things started to slow with the economy, Enderlein said. For us, its just a change in crops and finding something people want to purchase.
Not everybody living in the area is on board though. As Mills explained, a local resident has appealed councils decision to the OMB. The hearing is scheduled to begin at the Mulmur Township municipal offices on Feb. 2.
Weve had a huge push back from the neighbors, Enderlein explained, noting the facility would use less water and pesticides than it did when it was producing roses.
Concerns raised by residents include the effect on surrounding land values, security, road safety, as well as worries about light, dust and noise pollution.
As Mills explained, however, many of those concerns are regulated by the federal government and Health Canada. The level of federal regulations the farm must adhere to impressed politicians in Mulmur.
A lot of people put in the same context as liquor and so on, Mills sighed. But it is going to create a lot of jobs in the area and the plan looks extremely good.
News Moderator: Katelyn Baker
Full Article: Proposed Medical Marijuana Facility Headed To OMB
Author: Chris Halliday
Contact: Banner
Photo Credit: Glen Stubbe
Website: Banner
