Packed Vernon council hearing back in January to talk about cannabis (File photo)
The City of Vernon gets input on its proposed rules for cannabis tonight.
A public hearing will be held at 5:30 pm at City Hall to get feedback on the growing, processing and retail sales of recreational marijuana.
Staff are recommending pot sales be allowed in 13 zoning districts, which is mostly commercial zones but a couple of comprehensive development districts:
C3 – Mixed Use Commercial
C4 – Street Oriented Commercial
C5 – Community Commercial
C6 – Village Commercial
C7 – Heritage Business District
C8 – Central Business District
C9 – Regional Commercial
C10 – Tourist Commercial
C11 – Service Commercial
C12 – Convention Hotel Commercial
RTC – Resort Commercial
CD 1 – Comprehensive Development District
CD 5 – Comprehensive Development District
Council will also be able to dictate how close the stores can be to things like schools and parks, the distance from other cannabis stores, and if there should be a maximum number of shops in the city.
“It is unknown at this time what the appropriate number of cannabis stores is for the community. By not setting an arbitrary cap, council can balance community input and commercial interest,” states a report to council from Kim Flick, Community Infrastructure and Development Director
The City expects to start receiving applications for cannabis stores in January at the earliest.
City staff are recommending cannabis cultivation facilities be allowed in A1 –Agriculture within the ALR, a minimum of 50 metres from any property where residential is the principal use, and I1 – Light Industrial (enclosed buildings only) zoning districts.
