A developer is looking to start building a large-scale cannabis grow-op in Merritt beginning this spring.

Sundial Growers is bringing a development permit application to city council this week, for phase one of a multi-phase plan at 3998 Airport Road on the north end of the city.

Planning and development services manager Mark Brodrick says the first phase asks to build a 40,000 square-foot facility. He says the property, just over 20 acres in size, is already zoned for light-industrial use.

“The location’s pretty good. The prevailing winds are more or less from the south-southwest, so we don’t think there’s going to be an odour issue because these are closed building, and they have different scrubbers and filters. And prevailing winds are heading north, away from the city.”

Sundial Growers has indicated its finished facility would provide between 100 and 150 jobs in Merritt, with the facility being staffed 24-7. Brodrick says the company had said earlier this year it planned to build facilities totaling at least 182,000 square feet on the property over several phases, however past phase one the project’s plans haven’t been confirmed to the city.

The permit application is separate from a plan by Emerald Plants Health Source to build a cannabis facility in Merrit’s industrial park, which would eventually be up to 1.2 million square feet in size.

That company recently bought a 56-acre piece of land on Midday Valley Road, but has not yet brought forward a development permit, but Brodrick says it appears EPHS is getting close to doing so.

(Photo: City of Merritt)