Plans for what could be SidneyB次元官网网址檚 second cannabis shop have moved to the next step.
Sidney residents will now a chance to share their views about the proposed cannabis store at 9775 Second St. planning to operate under the name of Buds Cannabis, whose Sidney-based owners are currently operating a location in Central Saanich.
This development follows councilB次元官网网址檚 decision to trigger the next step in the application process. Council told the Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch (LCRB) in the late fall of 2020 that the municipality would wait until the applicants had passed their B次元官网网址渇it and proper assessmentB次元官网网址� under the terms of the LCRB before starting its process to make a formal recommendation.
A report completed by Sidney staff after the LCRBB次元官网网址檚 assessment finds the Buds Cannabis application has B次元官网网址渕et additional submission requirementsB次元官网网址� as per SidneyB次元官网网址檚 liquor and cannabis licensing policy.
The location of the proposed business, some 50 metres off Beacon Avenue, places it outside the 100-metre buffer of any B次元官网网址渙ther cannabis retailers, liquor stores, child care facilities, daycares, educational facilities, libraries, public recreation centres, public community centres, parks, places of worship and other family-oriented businesses.B次元官网网址�
The location is zoned for cannabis retail and staffB次元官网网址檚 initial assessment finds that the proposed store B次元官网网址渁ppears to be in an acceptable location.B次元官网网址�
Staff have also found the businessB次元官网网址檚 proposed size, facade and window treatment are consistent with the area. Staff have also noted that the applicants have addressed any issues such odour, noting that the proposed location neither includes residential nor other commercial tenants. Staff noted 443 units and properties lie within the required notification radius of 100 metres.
In other words, neither the LCRB nor municipal staff have flagged any obvious issues with the application. CouncilB次元官网网址檚 vote was also unanimous with Coun. Terri OB次元官网网址橩eeffe, a critic of previous applications, saying she is less concerned about this one.
B次元官网网址楾his is a more suitable location,B次元官网网址� she said.
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Only the LCRB can formally approve or deny applications for cannabis retail locations, but municipal processes can act as gate-keepers. As a staff report says, the municipality must gather the views of residents before recommending denial or issuance of a licence by the LCRB. Municipalities can also shape events even before applicants undergo an assessment as was the case in late December, when Sidney council withheld comment on what was the fourth application for a cannabis retail location in the community.
Stone and Seed was planning to open what would have been a second cannabis retail location on Beacon Avenue, little more than 100 metres away from the approved cannabis retail business formerly known as Happy Buddha (now operating as Truth and Alibi) and the proposed Buds Cannabis location. This fourth application would have also placed such a business within 90 metres of the Sidney Museum and B次元官网网址渏ust around the corner,B次元官网网址� according to staff, from another pending application from Jima Retail Corp. still undergoing its assessment.
Residents who want to comment on the Buds Cannabis application can submit their written statements or speak at a future special public participation period (which is not a public hearing). Owners and tenants of buildings within 100 metres (328 feet) of the location will receive notification by email while the owners must place a public notification in the storefront window of the proposed location for a period of not less than 14 days with advertisements also appearing in two consecutive issues in the Peninsula B次元官网网址 Review.
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