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HomeRegional NewsNewsCastlegar council moves ahead on recreational cannabis zoning

Castlegar council moves ahead on recreational cannabis zoning

Castlegar City Council gave first and second readings to their Recreational Cannabis Zoning Amendment Bylaw this week. It would allow stores to operate in any commercial and industrial zone where retail sales are permitted. Store hours of operation would be from 9:00am to 11:00pm and there is no minimum distance between stores or from schools, parks and playgrounds. However, Director of Development Services for the City, Phil Markin, explains that approval of the business locations will be open to a public consultation process and approval by council.

“This is very similar to what we did under the liquor licensing process where we have to post it in two consecutive editions of the newspaper. The applicant has to post a bulletin on their place of proposed place of business.”

Markin says applicants will first go through the Province’s screening process. Then referrals will be passed onto the City; however, that’s not expected to happen until legalization takes place. Once the consultation process is complete, council will decide whether the location is appropriate for retail cannabis sales and the Province will make the final approval.

Applicants must also provide a business plan and feasibility study that addresses things like neighbourhood impacts, odor control, Fire Code regulations, and security measures. An application fee of $1,500 is also included.

Markin says he’s already seen some interest.  “I’ve been getting a couple phone calls a week for the last couple months, so there is definitely interest out there.”

Council will also have to update the Smoking Bylaw and make an amendment to the Business License Bylaw. Markin says he’ll be bringing drafts of those to the next council meeting on October 1.

A public hearing regarding the City’s new zoning is expected in mid-October.

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