If you don’t agree with council’s stance on creating a site-specific zoning bylaw for cannabis retailers, you’ll have a chance to voice your opinion in early October.

At their Monday meeting, Osoyoos town council voted to direct staff to amend a zoning bylaw and policy that will require every potential marijuana retail shop to be approved by council, which will be presented at the next meeting and at a public hearing scheduled for a later meeting.

Councillor Mike Campol, the bylaw’s sole opposer in a four to one vote, said he’s “concerned” about the approach council is taking.

He noted how the policy states that “cannabis has the potential to impact many members of our community.”

“I’m not sure we said the same thing when we discussed distilleries opening zoning for distilleries or liquor licences or anything like that,” he said.

“The naivety to think that on October 17 people are going to be able to get cannabis – we live in British Columbia. Access hasn’t been an issue for some time.”

Councillor C.J. Rhodes disagreed, saying that his support for site-specific zoning was “even stronger than it was last time,” when council decided on July 16 to draft the bylaw.

“I see so many benefits from doing it that way and a lot of the negative aspects of allowing that kind of thing will be covered in our policies,” he said.

The policy accompanying the bylaw states that anyone considering submitting an application will directly work with town Development Services staff who are available to advise on proposals before they are formally submitted.

This is intended to allow prospectors to know if their potential site will be considered, or help them choose a suitable site.

Factors will include proximity to Osoyoos Elementary School and day care facilities or sites frequented by children, visibility from tourist routes, site access and even provision of parking.

The proposed policies included considering the impact to adjacent businesses, specifically Main Street locations, but council voted to remove the section.

However, regardless of the factors, anyone will still be allowed to submit an application which will then be reviewed by council on a case-by-case basis.

Campol argued that the bylaw is “overcomplicating” the issue and reaffirms complaints he’s heard that Osoyoos isn’t a “business-friendly” community.

“This is an example of that to me,” he said.

Mayor Sue McKortoff disagreed, saying council has done a really good job of being more open to businesses than in the past.

“This is one example where we’re trying to make sure that we are open for business in a positive way.”

McKortoff noted that the bylaw will allow council to “backtrack,” and it would be easier to later switch to a non-site-specific process than the other way around.

Councillors Jim King and Carol Youngberg both voted in supported of the bylaw.

Youngberg said she’s already received positive feedback to it from potential renters interested in properties she owns.

“They are just anxious and waiting for the guidelines of the site-specific outline. They said they have no problem  living within those guidelines that we create.”

Campol still voiced concern, saying the bylaw should be clear and concise rather and free of any stigma.

“It concerns the heck out of me that we’re making our decision on this mentality that this legalization of cannabis is going to have this massive societal effect on Osoyoos or British Columbia. I can’t wrap my head around that,” he said.

The amended bylaw and policy will be brought to council for first and second reading at their September 4 meeting. A public hearing is planning for their first meeting in October.

VANESSA BROADBENT

Regional Reporter