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Four companies vying to open cannabis stores in locations across Chilliwack

Rezoning applications for non-medical cannabis outlets pending, and some will require variances
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Four rezoning applications are in the queue at Chilliwack city hall for non-medical cannabis retail stores.

The Central Cannabis Company Inc. is one of the applicants, according to City of Chilliwack, seeking to rezone property at 42228 Yarrow Central Road to C9, for a private retail cannabis outlet.

READ MORE: Chilliwack expects strong demand

“Chilliwack will be our first store,” said Amar Sandhu, Central Cannabis co-owner, in a message to The Progress.

That storefront could one day be opening its doors in Yarrow if the rezoning application is successful, as well as the concurrent development variance permit application.

Rezoning applications are subject to public input and council approval. Security plans, police checks, security alarms and air filtration are some of the requirements for getting a business licence after a property has been rezoned.

On the day pot became legal in Canada on Oct. 17, the Central Cannabis rep tweeted: “We are preparing to open 8 Retail Cannabis Stores in British Columbia. Stay tuned!”

On the heels of submitting the rezoning paperwork in Chilliwack this week, they are also planning other locations.

“We are working with other cities who are going to be accepting applications in 2019,” Sandhu added.

City Council approved the new C9 zone for cannabis retail in September 2018 — ahead of legalization. The C9 zone is now part of the zoning bylaw in Chilliwack, after a public hearing and community consultations were held.

The goal of the cannabis zoning restrictions approved in Chilliwack is to “mitigate exposure to children and youth,” and avoid heavy concentration of retail stores in one commercial area.

A 300-metre buffer zone is the distance Chilliwack opted for from schools, hospitals, parks, playgrounds, treatment centres, and more. The buffer zone distance can be reduced if a Development Variance Permit (DVP) is approved.

“It should be noted; however, the subject property does not meet the development standards of the C9 Zone as the proposed Cannabis Retail Use is to be located within 300m of a playground (Yarrow Pioneer Park). As such, a Development Variance Permit has been applied for concurrently with the rezoning application to reduce this bylaw standard,” according to City of Chilliwack communications director Jamie Leggatt.

READ MORE: Chilliwack had to prepare for retail

City council decided it would conduct a review how the first year of cannabis retail unfolded in Chilliwack, and then decide how to proceed after that.

All four applicants currently in the queue for C9 rezonings in Chilliwack have also made applications to the Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch (LCRB) for a non-medical cannabis retail store licences.

READ MORE: Chilliwack plans for retail landscape

Four RZ applications have been received at City Hall to date:

• 43971 Industrial Way (Lickman Travel Centre Inc.)

-rezoning a portion of the property from a CS2 (Tourist Commercial) Zone to a C9 Zone (RZ001317)

-concurrent application to reduce the minimum 300m buffer within the C9 Zone to Heritage Park (DVP01019)

• #107-5615 Teskey Way (1181168 BC Ltd);

-rezoning a portion of the property from a C2 (Local Commercial) Zone to a C9 Zone (RZ001322)

• 45506 Yale Road (Stonewater Ventures No. 210 Ltd.)

• 42220 Yarrow Central Road (The Central Cannabis Company Inc.)

-rezoning a portion of the property from a CS1 (Service Commercial) Zone to a C9 Zone (RZ001328)

-concurrent application to reduce the minimum 300m buffer within the C9 Zone to Yarrow Pioneer Park (DVP01031)

More details highlighting the zoning and business licence regulations are on the city website.


@CHWKjourno
jfeinberg@theprogress.com

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Jennifer Feinberg

About the Author: Jennifer Feinberg

I have been a Chilliwack Progress reporter for 20+ years, covering the arts, city hall, as well as Indigenous, and climate change stories.
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