Future hazy for medical marijuana facility proposed for Pine Lake area

Red Deer County’s Municipal Planning Commission was to address a medical marijuana facility proposed for the Pine Lake area on Tuesday.

But at the last minute, those plans went up in smoke.

Agrafina Corporation, a family-run Calgary-based company is seeking to build a 53,000-square-foot medical marijuana facility on a piece of land about 30 kilometres east of Innisfail.

However, their application was pulled from Tuesday’s MPC agenda just prior to the start of their meeting at the company’s request. No explanation was given as to why.

This does not necessarily spell the end of the proposal. The application for the development permit continues and may still be brought up at a future MPC meeting.

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The subject parcel is currently bare and lies in an agricultural area within the Pine Lake Moraine Environmentally Significant Area. The parcel is not within an Area Structure Plan or Intermunicipal Development Plan.

Residents living near the proposed location, near the intersection of Range Road 254 and Township Road 360, are vehemently opposed to having the facility located in their area.

More than 70 people attended an open house hosted by Agrafina last Thursday at the Glenellen Community Centre. Odour, noise, dust, traffic, fears over crime, and drawing from local water bodies were just some of the concerns that were voiced.

Several letters of opposition were also sent in to the county prior to Tuesday’s MPC meeting.

Prior to it being pulled from consideration, County Administration was recommending in its report to MPC that the application be approved with 26 conditions aimed at addressing the concerns of residents.

Agrafina’s application letter to Red Deer County describes the company as a family-owned business operated by a married couple. Their proposed medical marijuana facility is estimated to employ 10 workers.

It’s not yet certain if or when the application will be brought back for consideration.

rdnewsNOW has so far been unable to contact Agrafina representatives for comment.