College Heights could be the location for one of the few provincially-run cannabis stores in B.C.
City council will discuss a rezoning application Monday that, if approved, will open the door the B.C. Liquor Distribution Branch to open a cannabis store Unit 120 – 6565 Southridge Avenue, where the Royal Bank of Canada used to be located.
According to a letter from the Liquor Distribution Branch the site was chosen for several reasons:
- Located in a large retail complex and therefore consistent with the nature of the immediate area;
- Easily accessible to customers; and
- Not expected to adversely impact traffic in the surrounding area, given its location in an already established retail complex.
The property is currently zoned ‘regional shopping.’ The intent of the zone is to provide a mix of uses for regional shopping areas around the city. The proposed rezoning is a site specific amendment to the regional shopping zone to add “retail, cannabis” as a principal use on the property.
The size of the proposed cannabis retail store is approximately 2,000 square feet, which is in the midrange of other retail stores existing on the subject site and in the surrounding area, according to the application.
The store will employ between 12 and 20 unionized staff. All employees go through criminal background checks. Store hours may vary by each store location, but most stores will be open from Monday to Sunday 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
City administration is supporting the rezoning application.