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Cannabis Study

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Consultation has concluded

Purpose and Effect of the Study

The Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville has initiated a study of cannabis cultivation and production facilities with the intent of updating the Official Plan and Zoning By-law to identify where these types of facilities should be located in the Town, what regulations should apply, and how proposals for these facilities should be evaluated.

The Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville passed Interim Control By-law 2021-023-ZO on March 23rd, 2021 pursuant to Section 38 of the Planning Act, R.S.O., 1990, as amended, to provide the Town with time to complete the Cannabis Study.


On September 21st, 2022, Report DS-056-22 went forward to Council on the recommended Cannabis Official Plan Amendment and Zoning By-law Amendment. Council passed By-law 2022-099-ZO (File No. ZBA22.009) and By-law 2022-100-OP (File No. OPA22.005). The purpose of these By-laws is to establish regulations for cannabis cultivation and processing permissions in the Town. 

The Town has issued the Notice of Passing for By-law 2022-099-ZO and Notice of Adoption for By-law 2022-100-OP. 

To learn more about the Cannabis Study, please email cannabis.study@townofws.ca. 


The Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville has retained WSP to undertake a Cannabis Cultivation and Regulatory Production Study. The Study will inform how the Town should consider policies and regulations for cannabis cultivation.

A Virtual Public Open House was held on March 22nd, 2022, providing an overview of the Study and identifying preliminary considerations and options for cannabis cultivation and production facilities in the Town. 


Project Overview

On March 23, 2021, Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville Council enacted a 1-year Interim Control By-law in order for Town staff to undertake a study to support the development of an appropriate regulatory municipal and planning process for cannabis production facilities in Town.

As local municipalities are responsible for the implementation of local planning and enforcement regulations related to cannabis production, the Town requires policies and regulations that provide comprehensive guidance on cannabis production facilities.

To receive regular updates about the Study and to provide your input, please sign-up for our Interested Parties email list by emailing: cannabis.study@townofws.ca


Phase 1 – Background Review & Review of Current Standards and Legislation 

  • Review of federal, provincial and other relevant policies and regulations applicable to cannabis growing facilities;
  • Best practices review of land use planning policies and regulations in place in rural and urban areas in Ontario municipalities; and,
  • Review of the Town’s current land use policies and regulations;

 

A Phase 1 Cannabis Cultivation and Production Recommendations Report will be prepared to identify recommended revisions to the current policy and regulatory framework.

A Public Open House will be held in March 2022 to facilitate consultation with the public, stakeholders, and other interested parties. 

On May 4th, 2022, Council received a Staff Report on the Draft Recommendations Report for the Cannabis Study. The Draft Recommendations Report provides a comprehensive overview of the background review and research and includes a review of the existing cannabis legislation in Canada and the province, the current land use planning framework, and air quality considerations. A presentation was also made by the Project Consultant providing Council with an overview of Cannabis Study to date. Staff are seeking comments on the Draft Recommendations Report. 


Phase 2 – Zoning By-law Amendment, Official Plan Amendment, Nuisance By-law

Review and Amendment

  • Preparation of draft amendments to the Town’s Official Plan, Zoning By-law, and any other suggested Town By-laws to implement the recommendations of the Study.

An Official Plan Amendment and Zoning By-law Amendment will be prepared to outline overall policy and regulatory recommendations.

A Public Open House will be held to facilitate consultation with the public, stakeholders, and other interested parties on the Official Plan Amendment and Zoning By-law Amendment. 

Purpose and Effect of the Study

The Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville has initiated a study of cannabis cultivation and production facilities with the intent of updating the Official Plan and Zoning By-law to identify where these types of facilities should be located in the Town, what regulations should apply, and how proposals for these facilities should be evaluated.

The Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville passed Interim Control By-law 2021-023-ZO on March 23rd, 2021 pursuant to Section 38 of the Planning Act, R.S.O., 1990, as amended, to provide the Town with time to complete the Cannabis Study.


On September 21st, 2022, Report DS-056-22 went forward to Council on the recommended Cannabis Official Plan Amendment and Zoning By-law Amendment. Council passed By-law 2022-099-ZO (File No. ZBA22.009) and By-law 2022-100-OP (File No. OPA22.005). The purpose of these By-laws is to establish regulations for cannabis cultivation and processing permissions in the Town. 

The Town has issued the Notice of Passing for By-law 2022-099-ZO and Notice of Adoption for By-law 2022-100-OP. 

To learn more about the Cannabis Study, please email cannabis.study@townofws.ca. 


The Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville has retained WSP to undertake a Cannabis Cultivation and Regulatory Production Study. The Study will inform how the Town should consider policies and regulations for cannabis cultivation.

A Virtual Public Open House was held on March 22nd, 2022, providing an overview of the Study and identifying preliminary considerations and options for cannabis cultivation and production facilities in the Town. 


Project Overview

On March 23, 2021, Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville Council enacted a 1-year Interim Control By-law in order for Town staff to undertake a study to support the development of an appropriate regulatory municipal and planning process for cannabis production facilities in Town.

As local municipalities are responsible for the implementation of local planning and enforcement regulations related to cannabis production, the Town requires policies and regulations that provide comprehensive guidance on cannabis production facilities.

To receive regular updates about the Study and to provide your input, please sign-up for our Interested Parties email list by emailing: cannabis.study@townofws.ca


Phase 1 – Background Review & Review of Current Standards and Legislation 

  • Review of federal, provincial and other relevant policies and regulations applicable to cannabis growing facilities;
  • Best practices review of land use planning policies and regulations in place in rural and urban areas in Ontario municipalities; and,
  • Review of the Town’s current land use policies and regulations;

 

A Phase 1 Cannabis Cultivation and Production Recommendations Report will be prepared to identify recommended revisions to the current policy and regulatory framework.

A Public Open House will be held in March 2022 to facilitate consultation with the public, stakeholders, and other interested parties. 

On May 4th, 2022, Council received a Staff Report on the Draft Recommendations Report for the Cannabis Study. The Draft Recommendations Report provides a comprehensive overview of the background review and research and includes a review of the existing cannabis legislation in Canada and the province, the current land use planning framework, and air quality considerations. A presentation was also made by the Project Consultant providing Council with an overview of Cannabis Study to date. Staff are seeking comments on the Draft Recommendations Report. 


Phase 2 – Zoning By-law Amendment, Official Plan Amendment, Nuisance By-law

Review and Amendment

  • Preparation of draft amendments to the Town’s Official Plan, Zoning By-law, and any other suggested Town By-laws to implement the recommendations of the Study.

An Official Plan Amendment and Zoning By-law Amendment will be prepared to outline overall policy and regulatory recommendations.

A Public Open House will be held to facilitate consultation with the public, stakeholders, and other interested parties on the Official Plan Amendment and Zoning By-law Amendment.