A plan to establish a cannabis production facility in the Red Rock was advanced a step on Thursday when Fraser-Fort George Regional District directors endorsed an application to the Agricultural Land Commission.
However, pending approval from the ALC, the proponents will still need to win directors' approval to amend the zoning for the site.
Jeffery Bender and Glenda Curtis want to establish a "non-soil based" grow operation over two hectares of the 16 hectare property, of which 580 square metres would be occupied by a building where the cannabis would be grown.
Permission from the ALC is required because the property is within the province's agricultural land reserve and the operation is not considered a farming activity. The quality of the land for agriculture is at the low end of the scale although with proper management, crops can be produced.
Prince George RCMP and the Prince George Cattlemen's Association replied with concerns when the item was referred to them.
RCMP said that while cannabis has been decriminalized, growing operations remain a target for break and enters and robberies and the site in question is a 25 minute drive away from the detachment.
The PGCA said it will decrease property value, create smell and is too close to family homes.
A zoning amendment is needed because while the property is zoned rural which allows cannabis production, the use is limited to parcels 259 hectares or larger.
