The Town of Qualicum Beach is considering issuing a temporary-use permit for the operation of a cannabis retail outlet at the old fire hall (124 Harlech Rd.).
Qualicum Beach zoning bylaws don’t allow cannabis sales anywhere within the town, so in August, the town announced it would kick off a 24-month pilot project for a retail cannabis store (QualiCanna Ltd.), and they would serve as the landlords.
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“The final step before a business licence can actually be issued is to do this temporary-use permit process, which essentially authorizes the land use that the existing zoning doesn’t allow,” said Luke Sales, town director of planning.
“It allows it for a specific period of time and during that time we’ll monitor the business and its impact on the surrounding area.”
The permit will specify conditions to minimize any negative community impact, such as limited hours of operation, restrictions on window displays and security.
“A lot of the conditions on the temporary-use permit you could argue that they’re not necessary because they’re already being covered through the federal legislation, but just in case they will be included as a part of it,” Sales said.
Subject to public feedback, the temporary use permit may be issued on Nov. 9.
After the two-year period, the town would go back to council who would consider long-term locations for marijuana retail.