A proposal for a new cannabis store at the Chemainus Village Square Shopping Centre on Oak Street will go to a public hearing after North Cowichan council gave it the first two readings in a tight 4-3 vote at a meeting on May 21.
Staff had recommended that the proposal go to the public hearing stage after determining that the commercial site is well lit, secure with alarm systems and is well maintained.
“Furthermore, the proximity to family-oriented facilities is consistent with other properties that have received council’s approval for retail cannabis sales in the past,” a staff report said.
But the Cowichan Valley School Board raised concerns that the cannabis store would be located within 100 metres of Chemainus Secondary School, while the school board’s policy is to object to any proposal for a cannabis shop within 300 metres of a school.
As well, Staff Sergeant Ken Beard, head of the North Cowichan/Duncan RCMP detachment, raised concerns around the proposed location stating that it is close to a grocery story that students from the high school may frequent at lunch time and after school.
Coun. Chris Istace said he is in that area every day and he doesn’t support a cannabis shop opening there.
“This is the go-to place for the high school students and during any given lunch break, there’s anywhere from 25 to maybe 75 students congregating right where this proposed location is and I don’t think it’s the right spot for youth to be subjected to a cannabis store,” he said.
“There’s already a liquor store there and I think that’s a bit of enough of influence there already. This product is a slippery slope so I don’t think this should go to a public hearing. Besides, there’s already a business in town that meets the distance criteria.”
But Coun. Tek Manhas said the proposed location for the cannabis store, and a number of other cannabis stores in North Cowichan, is well secured.
“I don’t see any issues with the application, especially when we have an overdose prevention site (on York Road) that’s located right next to a high school with our kids walking right by people overdosing and stuff,” he said.
Coun. Mike Caljouw said he agreed that the OPS is in the wrong location, but the concerns raised by the school board and Beard should be listened to.
Coun. Bruce Findlay said he’s been on the fence with the application.
“I agree with Coun. Istace and Coun. Caljouw that it’s so close to the high school that both my boys went to, but there is a liquor store there and you don’t see open alcohol around the high school in any way, so I don’t think this will be a concern,” he said.
Council voted to send the application to a public hearing, with Istace, Caljouw and Mayor Rob Douglas opposed.
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