Skip to content

UPDATE: Revelstoke councillors debate hours of operation of third cannabis store

They endorse the proposal in the end
18819540_web1_191010-RTR-stoked-cannabis_1
A map of the proposed location of a third cannabis store in Revelstoke. (City of Revelstoke)

Revelstoke City Council endorsed an application for a third cannabis business in Revelstoke at their Oct. 7 meeting.

The proposed business will be at 427 2nd St. East, which is the building where Spice O’ Life Emporium is located.

The referral from the province for applicant Michelle Gagnon’s company Stoked Cannabis, was sent to the city planning department on May 27, 2019 and the application for the corresponding Cannabis Retail Sales Application was made to the city thereafter.

READ MORE: UPDATE: Revelstoke council supports first proposed cannabis store referral

Provincial regulations require approval from local government before the Cannabis Retail Sales License can be issued.

READ MORE: Second cannabis store in the works for Revelstoke

The proposed operating hours for the store are 9 a.m.-11 p.m., seven days a week.

This was a point of contention at the council meeting, as one neighbouring resident had requested council limit the hours of operation to 9 p.m.

Councillors Steven Cross and Michael Brooks-Hill voted in favour of an amendment that would require the business change their operating hours.

Both said because the location is the lone commercial property in what is an otherwise residential neighbourhood, they had concerns about late-night noise and traffic.

However, councillors Rob Elliott, Jackie Rhind and Cody Younker, defeated the motion on changing the hours.

“I think more noise is going to come from the illegal AirBnB vacation rentals that are within the 100 metres, than is going to come from this cannabis if we want to be real here,” Younker said.

Adding that residents in the area are likely more concerned with noise from idling trains and the traffic on Third St. than they would be with noise from this business.

Rhind seconded she didn’t have concerns about the cannabis business being noisy.

“I think the regulations that are in place for a cannabis store are mandating to make it as discreet and as quiet and controlled as possible,” Elliott agreed.

The proposed location is zoned C-7 Service Commercial District; cannabis retail is a permitted use in that zone.

The location also qualifies with distance requirements from children’s facilities and other cannabis stores.

The business owner will not be re-developing the site or making exterior changes, rather renovating the existing interior retail space.

According to the staff report included in the Oct. 7 council agenda, a sign permit will be required as part of the signage for the establishment.

READ MORE: Cannabis is legal, what do you need to know in Revelstoke?


 

@JDoll_Revy
jocelyn.doll@revelstokereview.com

Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.