A space attached to the Owl Pub and Liquor Store is the site of a proposed cannabis store. Currently, the space is used for storage. (Vanessa Broadbent photo)

By Vanessa Broadbent

Osoyoos Times

A space attached to the Owl Pub and Liquor Store may not be the best spot for a cannabis store, but Osoyoos town council wants to hear what the public thinks before making a decision.

Council moved forward with its third application for a cannabis store in as many months at their meeting on Monday, and set a public hearing date for Feb. 19 at 4 p.m.

The applicant William Irvine applied for site-specific zoning to open a dispensary at 7603 Spartan Drive, attached to the Owl Pub and Liquor Store.

The portion of the property that would home the shop is currently used by the pub for storage purposes and access from the pub would need to be removed, director of Planning and Development Services Gina MacKay told council.

Patrons would be able to park in the lot on the north side of the building, currently used for delivery to the pub and liquor store, as well as staff work breaks.

“The primary function of this area is for use as a loading dock for both the pub and the liquor store. This space also serves as the garbage and recycling area,” MacKay said. “This area is not, therefore, suitable for customer parking (for the cannabis store).”

• Read more: Council Divided Over Fees For Cannabis Store Licences

There are also a few spaces on the property that provide temporary parking for liquor store customers.

A parking area exists underneath the building as well, but was closed due to concerns of repeated problems with vagrants loitering in the area.

The permit issued to the pub and liquor store in 1995 required that adequate parking be provided, which was done so with the parking under the pub, accessed via Park Place.

Town planning staff has advised the property owners that parking area needs to reopen, regardless of council’s decision on the proposed cannabis store, MacKay said.

“The property owners have indicated that they will explore solutions to the previous concerns which may include installation of camera and / or parking lot attendees,” she said.

“Once the underbuilding parking area is reopened it is likely that street parking on Spartan Drive will decrease.”

MacKay also said staff have some concerns about the portion of the building being used for a retail cannabis store, primarily related to the store’s access being through an active loading area.

Council gave first and second reading to the zoning amendment bylaw, and will discuss the dispensary further following the public hearing.

Council has already granted a rezoning amendment to a proposed cannabis store at the former location of Osoyoos Signs on 72 Ave., as well as first and second reading to one at 8322 Main Street.

• Read more: Council moves forward with two cannabis stores

The applicant for the store on Main Street, Jana-Michelle Howardson of Maple Leaf Greenery, spoke at a public meeting on Monday afternoon. No members of the public attended to voice any concern or support for the store.

Howardson, who has also applied for licensing for a store in New Westminster, told council she hopes the store will attract drive-through traffic to stop on Osoyoos’ Main Street and visit other businesses in the area.

She cited her former retail experience, which includes working with medical cannabis growers.

“We’d like to be the cannabis store you’re confortable sending your nana to,” she said.

Council will discuss Howardson’s application at a future meeting.

A parking area below the Owl Pub and Liquor Store is required to reopen, regardless of council’s decision of a proposed cannabis store on the property, to provide adequate parking for customers. (Michele Weisz photo)