The Regional District of Fraser-Fort George has approved rezoning four properties just northeast of Prince George to allow cannabis production, despite substantial opposition from area residents.
Last Thursday, the board of directors voted 10 to four in favour of rezoning the properties along Goose Country Road, just past the intersection of Eichler Road. The regional district received an 88-signature petition opposing the project – although more than a dozen signatories did not live in Prince George – and residents voiced their concerns at a public hearing held on July 14. The board also received 59 letters regarding the proposal, split roughly equally between people for and against the project.
Goose Country Road residents Dee and Art Jones said three of the proposed growing facilities will be within 200 metres of their home.
"It really felt like our community had no value – we counted for nothing," Dee Jones. "You don't fully understand the implications (of these operations) until it is right next to you."
If the district board isn't going to listen to public feedback, why ask for it at all, Art Jones said.
"We thought the process would work for us, but it did not," he said. "We were planning to retiring down to the island, now with this those plans are in question. I'm not sure how many people want live within 200 metres of three grow ops."
The Jones concerns were echoed by many of the letter writers: concerns about noise, traffic, smell, the impact on the local aquifer, property values and the potential fire hazard.
"This is a dead-end road. if there is a fire, there is a potential to cut off all escape routes," Dee Jones said.
Much of the land is currently in the Agricultural Land Reserve, but a cannabis greenhouse isn't the same as living next to a cattle ranch or a hay farm, Art Jones said.
"The lights, the fans – it's 24/7, 365 days a year," he said.
Fellow Goose Country Road resident Lisa Devine said her home borders on the four lots. She said she's concerned about the increase of traffic on the narrow, winding road – both for its impact on residents, but also on wildlife in the area.
"As for the watershed... where is he going to get this water? Not just for the crop, but what's he going to do for fire security?" Devine said. "Who is going to monitor him, to make sure he's doing this safely?"
Devine said many resident of the area have been there for decades and are worried about the future of the neighbourhood they love.
"This is a business for money. Can it go bigger? Can he sell it to someone else, some large conglomeration?" Devine said. "I'm not against cannabis, I just don't want it in this area. There are better areas for it."
Area resident Marie Payne said the district shouldn't have treated cannabis like any other farm crop.
"If someone wanted to put up a large pig barn, or chicken farm, there would be nothing we could do, because we choose to live in a farming area. But cannabis production is different," Payne said in an email. "Cannabis production for instance, tends to attract unwanted attention. One doesn't hear of criminals trying to steal cabbage, or chickens very often, or ever, but it is a different story with pot."
Concerns raised by some of the residents about the possibility of attracting criminals looking to steal the crop were echoed by the RCMP, who opposed the project.
"It is our position that there is an elevated risk that this type of business may be the target of criminal acts such as robberies or theft. This is based upon the high value of the product involved, involvement of the criminal element in the illicit sale of cannabis, and the relatively remote location of the site," the RCMP statement said. "While this location is near the municipal boundary of the city of Prince George, that area of the city is a low density, low crime area and subject to infrequent police presence. Prompt attendance to this location will be problematic and it will be difficult to provide an effective policing response should those crimes occur."
OWNER DEFENDS PROJECT
Owner Michael Johnson and Stretch Enterprises Ltd. are looking to build "micro cannabis" growing facilities on the four properties, which range in size from four hectares (10 acres) to 117 hectares (289 acres). Under federal regulations, each micro cannabis licence is restricted to up to 200 sq. metres of cultivation space and 600 kg of dried product per year.
In a letter to the district board, Johnson said his family have lived and farmed in the area for three generations and he's looking diversify his farm's income.
"In the past years crops of beef and hay traditionally seemed to be the only crops one could produce," Johnson wrote. "The new legalization of cannabis production in Canada has opened up at least two opportunities for me. On one hand, the licensed cannabis producers that I’ve spoken with, have shown me strong markets in both domestic and international communities for the products produced. On the other hand, professional soil scientists have convinced me micro facility by‐products can be used in my current farming practices acting as a good soil amendment."
In his letter, Johnson said he planned to start with one facility and potentially expand to include the other three within eight or nine years, if the venture is successful. During the public hearing on July 14, Johnson addressed some of the concerns raised, saying carbon and charcoal air filters will be used to control the smell and that his operation would follow all federal and provincial guidelines regarding security, water usage, etc.
Many of the letters of support vouched for Johnson's character as a responsible farmer and neighbour, and welcomed the economic diversification.
DISTRICT BOARD DIVIDED
Regional District director Warren Wilson, who represents Electoral Area A where the project is proposed, supported the project. Wilson and nine of his colleagues voted in favour of the project.
"This is an agricultural enterprise," Wilson said. "I do have concerns about the number of properties being applied for here. (But) I don't want to discourage any investments that may help our local economy."
Director Kevin Dunphy said cannabis is a legal product in Canada now and its time for both the RCMP and residents to change how they think about it.
"As far as I'm concerned, these people are farming," he said. "I don't think we should be against it because it is cannabis."
Director Kyle Sampson said cannabis production is heavily regulated, like the alcohol industry.
"These folks will have to go through more hoops to do this. It's not as simple as we approve this and they can starting growing plants on their property," he said.
District manager of development services Kenna Jonkman said the federal government will make the final decision regarding the cannabis licences. Johnson will also have to apply for building permits from the district for the greenhouses, which will have to comply with the district's rules regarding setbacks from the property line.
Director Danielle Alan said she's concerned the board is setting up the community for a long-term conflict.
"In the Robson Valley, we've had a couple of developments that were heavily opposed. We've had trouble with those areas and those developments for years," Alan said. "When the board goes against the wishes of the neighbourhood, it really does have long-term consequences."
Director Joan Atkinson said a large number of the neighbouring residents were concerned about the project.
"This has the potential of changing the landscape of that community," Atkinson said. "If we're going to ask for public input, we should listen to it."
Alan, Atkinson and directors Lara Beckett and Bill Empey opposed the approval.
