Pubdate: Thu, 24 Nov 2016
Source: Castlegar News (CN BC)
Copyright: 2016 Castlegar News
Contact:  http://www.castlegarnews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3613
Author: Betsy Kline

COUNCIL WEEDS OUT MARIJUANA DISPENSARIES

Castlegar council and staff held a public hearing Monday evening
regarding two proposed zoning amendments. Only a handful of residents
attended the meeting.

The first amendment adds specific wording to the zoning bylaw to
prohibit marijuana dispensaries in the city of Castlegar. The purpose
of the amendment is to ensure that no dispensaries open until such a
time as they are legalized by the federal government and to then
enable the city to regulate the locations of such businesses through
zoning rules.

City staff explained that the introduction of this measure was based
on legal advice and that without this interim measure, the city would
be unable to control things such as the location of dispensaries once
they are legalized. "If not defined, a marijuana dispensary is
considered a retail use, which could open the door for cases of lawful
non-conformance in the future," explained Castlegar planning
technician Shannon Marshall. That would mean that if a dispensary were
to set up in Castlegar as a retail business, they could locate next to
a school or daycare - anywhere a retail business is allowed.

In his opening remarks, Mayor Lawrence Chernoff noted, "The main
function of council members this evening is to listen to the views of
the public. It is not the function of council at this public hearing
to debate the merits of the proposed bylaw with individual citizens."
However, not one person present spoke when the public was asked for
input. Only one letter was submitted, and it was read aloud for the
record. Comments from the planning advisory committee and staff
responses to those comments were also read.

The amendment defines a marijuana dispensary as a business or other
operation involving the sale, barter, distribution or dispensing of
cannabis, marijuana or any products containing or derived from
cannabis or marijuana, or the advertising or offering of such items
for sale, barter, distribution or dispensing.

The second amendment removed maximum heights for hedges, except for
areas with safety concerns such as sight triangles at
intersections.

Council passed both amendments during the regularly scheduled council
meeting that took place after the public hearing.
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MAP posted-by: Matt