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N.B. planning information session on cannabis land use

Apr 26, 2018 | 8:00 AM

The City of North Battleford is planning a community information session on its proposed cannabis land use regulations May 9.

Council carried a first reading of the zoning bylaw pertaining to cannabis retail outlet and production locations at its meeting Monday. Mayor Ryan Bater recently said the city will conduct an extensive public education effort related to the regulations. 

“It’s a process of council and administration engaging with the public, getting the view of the people who live here, and then coming up with an informed decision,” Bater said when council discussed the issue last month. 

Bylaw No. 2055 is an amendment to the city’s land use Bylaw No. 1971. The bylaw will have a public hearing May 28 before it can go to second and third readings, and be passed by council.

Based on the proposed bylaw, a cannabis retail outlet will be permitted as a discretionary use in the city’s commercial zones, including downtown, but must be situated at least 225 metres away from all public schools, playgrounds, libraries, and municipal recreation centres. The city is also proposing any potential future production facility be permitted only in the heavy-industrial zone of the city, known as the industrial park. The city will not permit a production facility to be located within its three light-industrial areas, as those locations are situated next to residential areas. 

In addition, the proposed bylaw was amended so land-use zoning for a medical marijuana facility would be changed from discretionary use to permitted use in the city’s heavy-industrial district.

At the upcoming community information session in May, city administration plans to give a presentation on the municipal land use and zoning changes related to the legalization of cannabis. The information session will not cover provincial or federal legislation or law-enforcement issues, though the session will also provide information on all other proposed zoning bylaw amendments.

There will be an opportunity for residents to ask questions following the session, and people can submit written feedback and comments for council to consider.

The information session on cannabis land use regulations will take place at the Don Ross Centre Wednesday, May 9 at 5:30 p.m. in Room 107. Cannabis is expected to be legalized across Canada for recreational use this summer.

 

 angela.brown@jpbg.ca

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