NIPAWIN — Nipawin council wants public input on a proposal that will restrict where cannabis shops can be located.
The proposal, passed at a special council meeting June 18, will allow the shops to be located on commercial-zoned property 50 metres away from a school, pre-school, daycare, park and playground, community centre or any property being used for public recreation. The 50 metre exclusion zone was developed to prevent a cannabis shop to be located beside, behind or across the street from one of those uses.
Barry Elliott, the town’s administrator, said at this point, the proposal will allow cannabis shops to be located either the in downtown core or in the highway commercial district.
“The general consensus is we’d prefer it if it’s in the downtown core,” he said.
The proposal also calls for whoever is proposing to open a cannabis shop to submit a report that confirms the suitability of the development in its proposed location, take steps to prevent the odours from affecting nearby properties and to follow provincial and federal regulations.
A public hearing on the proposal will be held at a special meeting of council at 5 p.m. July 16.
“We’re anxious to hear back from the public on it,” Elliott said. “The public hearing will be an opportunity for people to voice their support or concerns.”
Council is still at the stage where it can change the bylaw and any of the restrictions within it.
