Sheer happiness Nanaimo District Islanders win championship. PagE B1 Stage stars Students perform in Christmas theatre productions. INSIDE Real Estate Section details home listings in Nanaimo. PagE 21
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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2013
www.nanaimobulletin.com
VOL. 25, NO. 72
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No decision from council on incinerator
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councillorS voTe to table motion to allow for public process from Metro Vancouver project. By TamaRa CuNNINgham THE NEwS BULLETiN
CHRIS BUSH/THe NewS BUlleTIN
Open pit
Workers, lower left, peer into a coal mine shaft Tuesday to check the progress of a concrete pumping operation to fill a portion of the void discovered under Pine Street several weeks ago. A large lump of concrete, seen just to the left of a new water pipe at lower right, is evidence of a previous attempt to fill the shaft that was discovered during excavation work Monday.
Regional district amends regulations for pot growing By KaRl yu THE NEwS BULLETiN
With changes coming for medicinal marijuana regulations, the Regional District of Nanaimo is proposing amendments to its land-use bylaw around growing marijuana. The Agricultural Land Commission has recognized medicinal marijuana production as a farm use under its regulations. The regional district board directed staff to prepare landuse regulation amendments with all
electoral areas seeking to allow production on agricultural land. Amendments to the land-use bylaw deal with electoral area lands located within the Agricultural Land Reserve. “Essentially ... medical marijuana production is going to be permitted on lands in the [Agricultural Land Reserve] that have agricultural as a permitted use in their zoning,” said Robert Stover, a planner with the regional district who prepared the related staff reports. “We’re also establishing setbacks for structures
used for medical marijuana production at 30 metres from property lines.” He added that the setbacks are consistent with agricultural setbacks for other intensive agricultural uses. Medical marijuana production would not be permitted as a homebased business in residential zones. Stover estimated amendments could come into effect in the new year. “It would hopefully go for third reading and adoption sometime in the new year.” reporter@nanaimobulletin.com
Nanaimo city council says it isn’t ready to demand Metro Vancouver scrap a proposed waste-to-energy incinerator at Duke Point, prompting one area resident to ask: just how long will it take to make a decision? “This has been going on and on and on,” said Barbara McPherson, a Cedar resident. “They keep saying they need more information, but how much? It’s been six months – that’s more than a semester of college – and it’s wearing on people.” Nanaimo city council shelved a decision to oppose a $500-million incinerator at Duke Point in front of a gallery of more than 90 people, which turned out to the open meeting Monday to show opposition and support for the plant. Council has been considering action on a potential incinerator at the industrial park since June, when the board of the Regional District of Nanaimo was made aware of the potential for Metro Vancouver to barge garbage to Vancouver Island. The RDN board – which includes city councillors – voted last summer to oppose the project within its boundaries. Now, with Nanaimo announced as a possible incinerator site, it’s time for Nanaimo council to make a decision on the issue, according to Coun. George Anderson, who made the motion to oppose the burn facility. He also called for Nanaimo to be scratched off Metro Vancouver’s list as a possible candidate, pointing out the city shouldn’t host someone else’s garbage. Councillors Ted Greves and Diane Brennan supported the bid. u See ‘COUNCILLORS’ /13
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