As cannabis legalization progresses, the Town of Battleford is preparing for new business developments.
Thunderchild First Nation approached the town with plans for a grow operation. The facility would be located west of Battleford near Highway 16.
The grow operation required a discretionary use application, and an initial step in the process involved the Town writing letters to people who owned property located within 75 metres of the boundary of the applicant’s land, according to CAO John Enns-Wind’s administrative report.
The Ministry of Highways responded to the town, citing concerns about regulation relating to highways. To not interfere with existing regulation, there are plans to move the grow operation 20 metres from where originally intended.
According to an administrative report, the proposed development “appears to conform to all relevant sections of the official community planning and zoning bylaws,” and is not considered detrimental to health, safety, convenience or general welfare of persons residing or working in the vicinity.”
Mayor Ames Leslie confirmed the Town would collect property tax from the operation.
Leslie called the proposed building “very attractive,” and said the fact that cannabis would grow inside would be inconspicuous.
The facility, Leslie said, would be used to grow medicinal cannabis.
