The process to put in place zoning amendments in time for the legalization of cannabis in Canada is now complete at North Battleford City Hall.
Second and third reading of zoning amendments, related to cannabis and other changes, were passed unanimously Monday.
The bylaw included provisions for cannabis retail outlets as a discretionary use in the City’s commercial zones: the C1, C3, C3A and C4 zones. The bylaw includes setting minimum separation distances of 225 metres for cannabis retail outlets from all public schools, playgrounds, libraries and municipal recreation centres.
In the M2 heavy industrial zone, cannabis production facilities are included as a permitted use. Production facilities were already allowed as a discretionary use in the zone prior to the amendments.
The zoning bylaw changes have been in the works at City Hall over the last several months, with the bylaw coming up first reading in May. But direction had been given to City administration on how to proceed as early as March.
There were also extensive opportunities provided to the public for input.
“There were surveys, there was a public hearing, we had an open house,” said Mayor Ryan Bater to the Regional Optimistafter Monday’s meeting.
There was not a lot of public feedback or opposition expressed. As a result, said Bater, “council was able to make a decision today based on the information we were presented with.”
The intention by civic officials all along had been for City Hall to have the zoning bylaw amendments in place in time for a proposed July 1 legalization date by the federal government. That may or may not be the date legalization happens. In any event, the City’s zoning bylaw is now in place to allow for any cannabis retail applications that may come in.
The bylaw amendments come at a critical time for the legalization process. At council, Mayor Bater pointed out that last week the Canadian Senate has adopted the federal legislation with a number of amendments, and those have now been sent back to the federal cabinet.
He also noted Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority announced the winners of the lottery for cannabis retail permits. Two proponents were awarded the permits in North Battleford: Curativa Cannabis, a division of Envirosafe Chemicals Canada, and Synergy Five Investments LP.
“They’re all aligning at the same time,” said Bater about the work by all levels of government.
Both of the cannabis retail proponents are now in the process of going through the 45-day permitting process that SLGA has set up. They must also decide on where to locate their proposed cannabis stores.
Last week, the Regional Optimistspoke to Envirosafe Chemicals Canada CEO James Davey, who outlined his company’s intentions to build an addition to their production facility on Thatcher Avenue in the industrial zone, to accommodate their Curativa Cannabis retail store.
Those plans may have to change after Monday night. The indication at city council is that under the amended zoning bylaw, retail cannabis stores would have to go in the commercial zones, and nowhere else.
The issue was raised by Councillor Greg Lightfoot, who asked whether they needed to further amend the bylaw to accommodate a request for a retail store in the industrial zone.
Administration officials recommended proceeding with the bylaw as it stood. City Planner Ryan Mackrell spoke at the meeting, and he discouraged the notion of having any retail business set up in the industrial zone.
“Having a commercial business, whether it is related to production or not, in an industrial zone is not beneficial to the city as a whole,” said Mackrell.
Their own research found that communities separated retail from production. If the City were not to do that, they would be the only one in the nation, Mackrell added.
This is done is so commercial businesses are accessible to the public. Mackrell also pointed out the province has asked cities to treat cannabis much the same as alcohol in their bylaw preparations, and alcohol retailers are allowed in the commercial zones.
He also noted there was an economic benefit to commercial areas, and added the industrial park is secluded. Mackrell said the onus was on the permit holder to adhere to their regulations, which have been public for “quite some time."
“Commercial businesses belong in commercial zones, industrial businesses belong in industrial zones,” said Mackrell.
Mackrell’s answers satisfied Lightfoot. “I couldn’t agree more,” he said.
Now the zoning bylaw is in place, the next step before cannabis retailers can open for business is to make discretionary use applications to City Hall for store locations, but Bater noted those retailers must still comply with SLGA.
Bater also said this is just the start, as SLGA has indicated more permits will be made available in the future.
“We established our bylaws based on having a long-term plan for the retailing of cannabis within the city,” said Bater.
