REGULAR OPEN COUNCIL REPORT

Development Services Department

For the March 9, 2020 Council Meeting

DATE: March 9, 2020 File No. C-2019-027

TO:

Mayor and Council

FROM:

Randy Houle, Director of Development Services

RE:

Non-medical Cannabis Retail Licence (6234 Main Street)

RATIONALE:

The purpose of this report is for Council to direct staff to send either a recommendation of support or denial to the British Columbia Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch regarding the proposed non-medical cannabis retail store at 6234 Main Street (Interior Cannabis Co.)

OPTIONS:

1. THAT Council direct staff to send a recommendation of support to the British Columbia Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch (LCRB) for a non-medical cannabis retail store licence at 6234 Main Street (Interior Cannabis Co.).

2. THAT Council direct staff to send a recommendation of denial to the British Columbia Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch (LCRB) for a non-medical cannabis retail store licence at 6234 Main Street (Interior Cannabis Co.).

3. THAT the application is referred back to Staff.

RECOMMENDATION:

THAT Council direct staff to send a recommendation of support to the British Columbia Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch (LCRB) for a non-medical cannabis retail store licence at 6234 Main Street (Interior Cannabis Co.).

General:

Organizational:

Financial:

Legal/Statutory Authority:

Strategic Plan:

Good Governance

BACKGROUND:

Through the implementation of Zoning Bylaw 1380 in July of 2018, "cannabis dispensary" became a permitted use in the TC (Town Centre) and C2 (Highway Commercial) zones. These are the primary commercial zones within the Town of Oliver.

The subject property (6243 Main Street) is zoned TC (Town Centre) and is located in the 6200 block of Main Street, in between Casa Luna and Auntie Ag's Seafood Café. The applicant has passed the "fit and proper" assessment with the Province and has completed the public notification process with the Town of Oliver. Prior to the LCRB issuing a licence for a non-medical Cannabis retail store, a positive recommendation from the Local Government is required.

REFERRALS:

The subject application was referred internally and externally, with no issues or concerns raised.

PUBLIC PROCESS:

The subject application followed the public notification process set out in Land Use Procedure Bylaw No. 1367. The application received comments as highlighted below.

• nine feedback forms were submitted; six of which were in support and three not in support. Reasons for not supporting the application were due to the associated problems that come with this type of business.

COUNCIL REPORT/RESOLUTION HISTORY:

On August 26, 2019, Council passed a positive recommendation for both Bluewater Cannabis (6341 Main Street) and the BC Cannabis Store (225-5717 Main Street). Bluewater Cannabis has received its licence from the Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch (LCRB) and is open for business. The opening date of the BC Cannabis store is not known at this time. On October 15, Council passed a positive recommendation for The Higher Path (5859 Main Street). The Higher Path has since opened its doors.

There is one other proposed Cannabis retail store within the Town of Oliver that is currently undergoing a "fit and proper" assessment with the Province. That store is Tumble Weedz, located at 6276 Main Street.

The Interior Cannabis Co. (6243 Main Street) location is approximately 1,164ft2 in size. The store will employ approximately two employees and tentative store hours are from 10am to 8pm, 7 days a week. Figures 1 to 5 in the Attachments include a site plan, zoning map, storefront renderings and a floor plan.

Staff have reviewed the application thoroughly, as well as the public comments and can provide the following points:

• "Cannabis dispensary" is a permitted use in the TC (Town Centre) zone.

• Limited feedback forms against the application were submitted.

• The province conducts extensive background checks and security screenings on the applicants, and has their own inspectors to regulate and enforce the operations and security of the stores. This places less onus on the municipality.

For these reasons, staff are recommending that Council direct staff to send a letter of support to the LCRB for Interior Cannabis Co., located at 6243 Main Street.

CAO COMMENTS:

Concur with recommendation of Director of Development Services

Respectfully Submitted:

______________________________________

Randy Houle

Director of Development Services

Approved By: Department: Status: Cathy Cowan, Chief Administrative Officer Administration Approved - 04 Mar 2020

Figure 1 – Subject Property Location Map

Figure 2 – Zoning Map

Figure 3 – Street View of Subject Property

Figure 4 – Proposed Business Signage

Figure 5 – Proposed Floor Plan