City council lent their support to four separate applications for cannabis retail stores on Monday night.
Council approved a three year temporary-use permit and supported for Epik Products Inc., and supported the company's application to the B.C. Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch for a retail cannabis licence.
"I will support this. It's a legal business selling a legal product," Coun. Brian Skakun said. "It's a group of individuals who are investing in the downtown."
It was the company's second time before council seeking a temporary-use permit for its proposed shop at 356 George St.
Council rejected a previous application on Sept. 14.
Mayor Lyn Hall said he toured the site, along with other members of council, and came away with a different viewpoint. Hall voted against the application on Sept. 14, raising concerns about the number of cannabis stores downtown – including Grasshopper Retail Inc., located a block away.
"I was very interested in having my safety concerns alleviated, which they were," Hall said.
He was also happy to see the company intends to provide educational information about cannabis use at the store.
Coun. Kyle Sampson said council's responsibility is to make decisions on land use, and there is nothing within provincial regulations or city bylaws prohibiting cannabis retailers from being located near to each other.
Coun. Cori Ramsay was the only member of council to vote against the application the second time, arguing that the city's policy for cannabis retail stores should be in line with liquor stores. Under B.C. regulations, liquor stores are typically required to be be at least one kilometre apart, and the city's bylaws stipulate a distance of at least 1.6 km.
"If these were two liquor stores, it wouldn't be allowed," Ramsay said. "It's really tough to go on a case-by-case basis, and not have some standard. I really want us to be consistent on this."
Grasshopper Retail Inc. was also before council on Monday, requesting a rezoning for its location at 421 George St. The company has operated a store at the site since receiving a temporary use permit from the city in April, 2019.
That temporary-use permit would have expired in 2022. Rezoning the property to allow cannabis sales means the company will not have to reapply to the city to continue operating at the location.
City acting deputy city manager Ian Wells said the RCMP and city's bylaw services have had no issues regarding the store.
In brief presentation to city council, Grasshopper co-owner Sandy Przysieny said the company has now purchased its building location, and employs 15 people.
Coun. Terri McConnachie congratulated the owners for their success.
"Starting a new business, it's not easy at the best of times – especially with a new substance and during a global pandemic," McConnachie said.
Council approved the rezoning unanimously.
Council also approved rezonings and supported applications for cannabis licences for proposed cannabis stores at 2626 Vance Rd. and 6055 Monterey Rd.
Brookwood Properties is proposing to open a cannabis store within Brookwood Plaza Mall on Vance Road, where Costless Liquor and Custom Car & Audio are located.
Tabor View Holdings Ltd. is looking to open a cannabis store in a vacant commercial storefront in the same building at Hart Wholesale Liquor Store on Monterey Road.
Council approved both applications unanimously, with little discussion.
