By Angela Brown

North Battleford City Hall crafting zoning plans for cannabis

Mar 27, 2018 | 2:01 PM

The City of North Battleford’s council has asked administration to prepare a zoning bylaw for land use pertaining to future cannabis retail outlets and potentially a production facility.

At Monday’s meeting, council agreed to have City Manager Jim Puffalt draft a bylaw for cannabis retail sales outlets to be only allowed as a discretionary use in commercial area zones in the city, and for cannabis cultivation, processing or production as a permitted use specifically in the heavy industrial zone of the city.

Mayor Ryan Bater added the bylaw will also indicate there will be a ban of cannabis retail outlets within at least a 225 metre radius distance away from schools, public parks and public recreation facilities.

Bater said based on the information the city has received from one of its planners, the smallest proposed radius of 150 metres was about the length of a city block, which council didn’t believe was an adequate distance.

“It would still be within sight-lines of young people, parks schools or in recreation facilities,” said Bater.

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The mayor said 225 metres is about a block and a half away, which seemed suitable.

“But the decision is not yet made,” said Bater. “Council still has an opportunity to choose a longer distance if it feels.”

After council passes first reading of the bylaw, expected April 23, the public will have an opportunity to provide input at a public hearing before council gives second and final reading of the bylaw at a future date.  

The mayor said there will be an extensive public education process as well until the end of May.

 “We will likely host an open house or some type of forum for the public to attend,” he said, adding council will look at second and third readings in June to prepare for the legalization of cannabis in Canada in July.”

The city will be permitted to have two retail cannabis outlets after the legalization, which is expected this summer.

angela.brown@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @battlefordsNOW