Town of Osoyoos administration is making another attempt to get direction from council on how to handle zoning of recreational cannabis stores when marijuana is legalized in October.

A new report outlining options is on the agenda for Monday’s committee of the whole meeting.

The report recommends, “that council provide additional direction to staff so that staff can bring forward the necessary bylaws for council’s consideration.”

A previous attempt by administration to get direction from council resulted in a 50-minute discussion on July 3, but only one decision was reached – to prohibit government-run cannabis outlets in Osoyoos.

Council chose in March not to conduct a public consultation on the issue.

Among the questions council is being asked to consider are:

  • Where cannabis sales will be restricted (i.e. proximity to schools or parks);
  • If cannabis sales will be permitted directly on Main Street;
  • Which commercial zones will allow cannabis sales;
  • Whether to adopt “site-specific zoning” for cannabis outlets, in which council would consider each application on a case-by-case basis, or whether to simply specify the existing zones in which cannabis sales would be permitted.

When council discussed the issue of proximity to schools on July 3, there was some confusion about what areas of town would be affected by buffer zones of specific radiuses.

Administration has provided new maps showing which specific properties would be considered too close to Osoyoos Elementary School to sell cannabis with buffers of 100, 150 and 200 metres.

With a 100-metre buffer, all C-1 zoned commercial properties would fall outside the buffer.

However, with a 150-metre buffer, the portion of Main Street across from the B.C. Liquor Store would be considered too close to the school. And with a 200-metre buffer, a larger section of Main Street in the area of AG Foods and the B.C. Liquor Store would be excluded.

The new report once again raises the question of whether cannabis sales should be permitted on the downtown traditional Main Street. Council did not discuss this July 3, although the question was raised in the 30-page report administration gave councillors for that meeting.

“Osoyoos has fortunately retained its traditional downtown Main Street, which is a major attraction for residents and tourists alike,” says the new report, signed by Gina MacKay, director of planning and development, and Barry Romanko, chief administrative officer.

“Supportive policies are needed to ensure that the downtown continues to be the central focus for our community,” the report continues, noting that the official community plan tries to promote a mix of complementary downtown uses.

“Some may argue that the sale of cannabis is not necessarily a ‘complimentary (sic) use’; while others will argue that it is simply another retail outlet,” the report says. “Council may wish to consider restricting the sale of cannabis to stores that do not front directly onto Main Street from Heron Lane to Park Place.”

Administration also asks the question of whether existing parking requirements for commercial businesses should be applied, or whether these outlets should require additional parking.

“Recreational cannabis sales have the potential to generate a significant amount of traffic,” says the report. “This needs to be considered along with the use itself.”

The report also includes maps showing C-2 shopping centre commercial and C-3 highway commercial zones.

She C-2 zone includes the shopping centres at Buy-Low Foods and Red Apple, as well as the plaza at Main Street and Cottonwood Drive.

The C-3 zone includes various areas on Highway 97 and on Highway 3 in the east end of town.

The report suggests that discussion of which commercial zones could permit cannabis sales can be complicated.

“Each of the commercial areas is adjacent to a use which could be considered (by some residents) to be in conflict with the sale of recreational cannabis,” said the report. “It could also be argued that by allowing the sale of recreational cannabis in the highway commercial zone at the corner of Highway 97 and Highway 3 may not project the image of Osoyoos as a family friendly resort destination.”

The report again recommends that council should consider site-specific zoning.

“This option would allow council to consider each individual site on its own merits,” said the staff report. “It would also allow for consideration of adjacent uses, parking provisions, access and egress from the site.”

When council discussed the issue on July 3, Councillor Mike Campol said he didn’t support site-specific zoning because of the cost and the need for a public hearing each time.

Once council is able to provide staff with direction on the questions raised in the report, administration can draft bylaw amendments. The zoning bylaw amendments would need be approved by council and go to a public hearing.

RICHARD McGUIRE

Osoyoos Times