Article by CBC News
The owners of an Etobicoke Brewery are looking to expand into the medical marijuana business, but some residents say opening up that kind of operation in the area is too close for comfort.
Cool Beer Brewery has received approval from the city for a variance to a zoning bylaw, despite major opposition from residents who live nearby.
The zoning bylaw stipulates that marijuana facilities must be at least 70 metres from the nearest residence. In Cool Beer Brewery’s case, the closest home is 45 metres, hence the need for the variance.
“There’s a lot of worry that this is going to happen simply because they have money in their pockets, they’re able to get lawyers,” said Paul Neal, who’s lived in the area for 10 years.
More than 40 of the 200 residents who live in the townhouse complex next door to the brewery wrote letters opposing the application for a variance.
“We hope they are not pulling the wool over the decision makers,” Neal told CBC Toronto.