Castlegar council has passed the first two readings of the city’s recreational cannabis zoning bylaw. The next step in the approval process will be a public hearing.
Castlegar headed for laid-back cannabis regulations
The proposed bylaw includes the following provisions:
• Retail sales of recreational cannabis will be permitted in any commercial or industrial zone where retail sales are permitted;
• No cap on the number of recreational cannabis establishments;
• Operating hours of retail stores will be limited to 9 a.m. to 11 p.m.;
• No minimum distance restrictions will be set for stores from schools, youth facilities, parks, etc.;
• No minimum distance will be set between cannabis stores;
• Applicants for a recreational cannabis business license will be required to provide a business plan/feasibility study that address the following: plans to minimize impact to the neighbourhood, compliance to zoning and distance from sensitive areas, odor control measures, security measures, compliance with BC Fire Code regulations, HVAC and alarm systems, and a rendering that shows the exterior and facade will be consistent with development permit guidelines;
• An application fee of $1,500 will be required to cover advertising costs associated with the public consultation and approval process;
• Applicants will have to meet all provincial requirments;
• Smoking cannabis will be prohibited in all public spaces.
Millennium Dog Park ponds
The landscape at the off-leash dog area at Millennium Park is going to see some changes — the ponds are going disappear.
The city is responding to residents concerned about mosquitoes at the site and the overall lack of use of the feature.
The ponds will be filled in with back-fill that has been removed from the Columbia Avenue construction project. The fill has been accumulating in the unused portion of the park, and will just need to be moved into the depressions. The work will take place in the next few months.
International Day of Peace
The City of Castlegar will partner with the Kootenay Region Branch of the United Nations Association for the annual International Day of Peace event. The city will provide $300 to help promote the event.
New loader for airport
The West Kootenay Regional Airport is getting a great deal on a loader thanks to a federal grant.
Transport Canada’s airport capital assistance program provides federal funds to help eligible airports finance capital projects and equipment acquisitions that will maintain and improve airport safety.
The program provides cash based on passenger activity and Castlegar’s airport is eligible for 90 per cent funding.
Under the program, a loader can be replaced every 20 years, making the airport’s 1994 Case Loader eligible for replacement funding.
The grant will provide $271,803, leaving the City of Castlegar $30,200 to pay.
The 1994 loader will remain in service as a back-up.
Licenses and Permits
Business license applications are exactly on par year-to-date with last year. So far 647 licenses have been issued.
Building permit numbers are down by 19 for the year, but the dollar value is only down by $92,000. New projects started this month include two single-family dwellings.