A public hearing has been scheduled in Clearwater next month for a proposed cannabis store that would set up shop in the Brookfield Shopping Centre, should the application go ahead.
The hearing is set for Jan. 21 at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. and District of Clearwater (DOC) council also plans to mail a Notice of Intent to all owners and occupiers within 100 metres of #3-74 Young Rd., where the applicant hopes to open the business.
Under the name Interior Cannabis Company, the potential owner would have the shop open seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m., though hours may be changed if needed for approval.
An application has been sent to the Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch (LCRB), as well as the District of Clearwater (DOC) for local government consideration and input.
Council’s recommendation to the LCRB has to show a few things that have been considered, including the location of the proposed store, the general impact on the community if the application is approved, the views of residents and a description of how views were gathered.
Council’s recommendation as to whether the application should be approved or rejected must include the reasons upon which the recommendation is based.
If council approves going ahead with the application and following the required public consultation process, Planning Services will bring a follow-up report to council summarizing the needed considerations that have to be taken into account, including any submissions received from residents.
The application does meet a lot of the DOC’s criteria policies as it isn’t proposed in a residential zone and isn’t close to any schools or parks.
One issue, though, might be the suggested store hours because of how close the proposed store is to residential lots as Planning Services believes the long hours of operation, every single day of the week, maybe a concern for nearby owners and occupiers.
If council has concerns with the long hours of operation they may suggest reducing them. Planning Services also doesn’t expect traffic or parking issues from the new cannabis store because the property is in an existing shopping complex, which is mostly empty of businesses right now; the new store would also benefit the site economically.
Planning Services is recommending council consider this application and as such, move forward with the public consultations.
Any written submissions will be summarized in a subsequent follow-up report to Council and DOC Public Works said that its interests are unaffected by this application.
newsroom@clearwatertimes.com
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