Back to SearchThe City of St. Catharines Planning and Building Services Department is hosting an online information session on Tuesday, September 28th, at 6 p.m., to provide information and receive public input regarding the background study on the land use impacts of cannabis production facilities, including related ancillary uses, within the City’s Agriculture and Employment Zones.
The Cannabis Act came into effect in October 2018 which had the effect of legalizing the production, sale and use of cannabis for recreational purposes in Canada. In February of 2020, the City of St Catharines enacted an interim control by-law to temporarily suspend the establishment of new cannabis growing facilities until such time as a study on the land use impacts and alternatives for municipal regulation of these facilities is completed. That study is now underway.
The City of St. Catharines has retained SGL Planning and Design to evaluate potential land use impacts associated with the production of cannabis as a land use and to identify alternatives for municipal regulation. Under the Cannabis Act, the commercial growing of cannabis for both medical and recreational purposes is a federally regulated activity. The City also has available tools to regulate this land use through the Official Plan, Zoning By-law and Site Plan Control By-law which may include site design and location requirements. The purpose of this Cannabis Operations Study is to investigate and consider cannabis production facilities as a land use and to assess and recommend changes to the City’s land use planning tools, as needed, to regulate this land use.
The City and SGL will be hosting an information session for interested stakeholders, which will include a presentation by SGL on the findings of their background study and alternatives for municipal regulation.
Cannabis Operation Study Online Open House
Members of the public will be able to watch proceedings through the City’s YouTube Channel and will be able to participate as detailed below.
Residents can participate in the Open House in three different ways:
- By mailing your comments/questions or by e-mailing the planner no later than by Monday, September 27, 2021.
- By registering to participate via Zoom no later than by Monday, September 27, 2021
- By registering to participate by telephone no later than by Monday, September 27, 2021. Please call 905.688.5601 ext. 1722 and leave a message with the planner, with your name and phone number; staff will respond to your voicemail prior to the Online Open House to provide you with the call-in number for the event and additional information about the process.
Electronic Participation
Those wishing to participate electronically via Zoom video-conferencing technology must register by completing our online form before the date specified above.
Only one individual will be permitted to speak at a time and group delegations are not permitted.
Participants are not permitted to share visuals or materials during the open house. However, materials may be submitted in advance for the Planner to share during the open house and must be received no later than September 27, 2021.
Delegates are required to participate in a test Zoom session with City staff. Testing will cover the audio and video quality of the participant's device; reviewing the process for the participant to join the meeting; and reviewing the participant process. During the test session, City staff will also discuss the process for submitting visuals or materials for inclusion in the Open House.
The test session will be held Tuesday, September 28 at 10 a.m. The test session should take less than 15 minutes to complete. Note: other members of the public may be in the same test session. City staff will contact you via email with your test session information.
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