Cannabis store proposal back before council
Demolition order to be considered for derelict motel
A previously-rejected proposal to open a cannabis store on Third Avenue downtown will be back before city council on Monday night.
Nasser Kamani has reapplied for a temporary use permit for 1289 Third Avenue – the old Plateau Clothing store.
In April, council voted 7-1 to deny the application after learning during a public hearing that it would be located across from a school that caters to vulnerable youth.
Intersect Youth and Family Services at 1294 Third Ave is currently home to 32 students, ages 13-18 years old who, because of mental health challenges, are unable to attend mainstream school.
In response, Kamani is proposing to limit the hours of operation to times when Intersect is closed.
“This would include evenings after 5 p.m., weekends, statutory holidays and breaks when school is not in session,” he said in a letter to council.
Kamani has also submitted a 26-name petition in support of his application. Letters of support from two nearby businesses have also been submitted.
A campaign against the proposal has also been launched. In all, 28 people have sent in a form letter expressing opposition.
As well, council will consider a proposal to open a cannabis store in a spot next to Princess Auto at 3320 Massey Drive. No opposition has been expressed to council so far.
Hearings on both matters will be held. Hearings begin at 7 p.m.
Also on the agenda:
• Council will decide whether to issue a demolition order for an derelict motel and a cleanup order for an unsightly property.
For most of the time since council suspended its business licence in 2014, the motel at 1656 Victoria St. has been out of operation. Known variously as the Ranch Motel, Homeland Inn and Willow Inn, it had become rundown and a noted spot for criminal activity.
In October, a fire caused an estimated $150,000 damage to the building. Debris continues to litter the site and it remains in a general state of disrepair, according to staff.
Staff is also recommending a cleanup order be issued for 1451 Blackburn Rd. Photos from a presentation to council show a clutter of vehicles and debris covering the site.
• Council will consider working with the Fraser-Fort George Regional District to convince the provincial government to declare the common tansy a regional noxious weed.
• A public hearing will be held for a proposal to reinstate the old zoning for 45.5 hectares at 4257 Blackburn Rd.
An 85-lot subdivision had been planned for the area but the developer has failed to construct the infrastructure for water, sewage, drainage and roadworks as outlined under a 2015 agreement with the city.
If approved, the site will be returned to its old agriculture-forestry zone.