A housekeeping bylaw meant to tidy up zoning for liquor retailers in Langford is laying the groundwork for pot shops once recreational marijuana use is legalized.
B次元官网网址淚 donB次元官网网址檛 want to sell liquor on every street corner, itB次元官网网址檚 a family community,B次元官网网址� said Langford Mayor Stew Young, adding that philosophy would eventually apply to marijuana as well. B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e tightening up on liquor just to get ready.B次元官网网址�
Essentially, Young said, the amendments would create more specific zoning to further restrict the sale of alcohol. A parallel or combined bylaw could eventually include marijuana dispensaries. Among the amendments is a regulation preventing stores from selling alcohol, including wine, within 800 metres of an existing liquor or retail wine store.
Young said the federal government has sent mixed messages on just how it intends to roll out the legalization of recreational marijuana use. That said, Langford council wants to ensure the sale of pot doesnB次元官网网址檛 have a big, in-your-face presence.
B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e open to it, we just have to make sure itB次元官网网址檚 done right and not impacting the kids,B次元官网网址� Young said, adding this would be the groundwork to build further bylaws on.
In the meantime, the liquor sale bylaw amendments will also allow council more control of where retailers will be permitted to sell alcohol. While the final permits and licences are under the provinceB次元官网网址檚 jurisdiction, land use falls to municipalities.
B次元官网网址淭he SuperstoreB次元官网网址檚 a test, weB次元官网网址檒l see how it goes,B次元官网网址� Young noted.
The Real Canadian Superstore recently obtained approvals from the Liquor Control and Licensing Branch (LCLB) to sell B.C. wines in Langford. According to a staff report to council, this was done through a B次元官网网址渟pecialty wine licenseB次元官网网址� obtained at an auction hosted by the province. The license allows the sale of B.C. wine in addition to the sale of food and other goods in retail stores larger than 10,000 square feet.
When staff inquired about the CityB次元官网网址檚 involvement in this process, they were told the LCLB confirms that the location of the licensee complies with municipal zoning regulations.
There are three types of licenses that allow for the sale of liquor for consumption off site that do not require any formal involvement from council. They include the specialty wine license, wine stores and licensee retail stores.
This bylaw amendment, Young said, is the first step in preparing for the legalization of marijuana.
