Photo: RDOS

An outline of the Casorsos property at 164 Secrest Hill Road, near Oliver.

Two environmental award-winning farmers are planning to build a massive medical cannabis facility in the South Okanagan.

David and Wanda Casorso are planning a grow-op on their property at 164 Secrest Hill Road, about five kilometres north of Oliver.

The Casorsos are seeking permission from the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen to build a facility close to 130,000 square feet in size, which would allow them to grow about 30,000 kilograms of medical cannabis each year.

The building would take up close to 18 per cent of their 6.72-hectare property — well above the land-coverage limit of three percent for agricultural land, as outlined in the area's zoning bylaws.

If not approved, the RDOS noted the Casorsos plan to grow medical cannabis in a greenhouse instead, which wouldn't require a permit from the regional district.

The Casorsos noted a greenhouse would take up just over 480,000 square feet to produce the same amount of cannabis, which would be close to 67 per cent of their property. The area's zoning bylaws allow greenhouses to cover 75 per cent of a land parcel. 

The couple said their plan "does not defeat the intended bylaw, due to the fact the building will be used directly for agriculture production."

RDOS staff are recommending board members approve a permit for the 130,000 square-foot building.

"If the applicant were to pursue the alternative option of growing medical cannabis in a greenhouse, the building footprint would be larger than an indoor growing building. Plants can be stacked vertically in an indoor growing building as the plants do not need to access sunlight," staff's report said.

Staff added in the future, "the buildings could also be used for other soil-less medium agricultural use."

The permit application will go before RDOS board members on Thursday.

The Casorsos also own and operate Casorso Ranch on Dulton Creek Road, east of Vaseux Lake.

Casorso Ranch received the B.C. Cattlemen's Association Environmental Stewardship Award in 2013, for the owners' work to manage and conserve water.

Photo: RDOS

Blueprints of the proposed medical cannabis facility.