The province may soon be cornering the new market for cannabis in Prince George.
On Monday council approved the Liquor Distribution Branch’s application to open a retail cannabis store at 6565 Southridge Avenue, where the Royal Bank of Canada used to be located.
Also on Monday, council gave first two readings to a Liquor Distribution Branch rezoning application that would allow a retail cannabis store in a portion of the old Sears store in Pine Centre Mall.
“The applicant has proposed to locate the approximately 372 m2 (4,000 sq. ft.) cannabis retail store within a portion of Pine Centre Mall, which was previously occupied by Sears,” reads the staff report to city council. “The size of the establishment and retail use is consistent with the retail stores on the subject property and surrounding area. Given its proposed location on the site, the use will be separated from the nearest residential neighbourhood by Westwood Drive and a surface parking lot (130m). In addition, the retail cannabis store is approximately one km from John McInnis and Peden Hill schools (separated by Pine Valley Golf Course and Ferry Avenue) and over 300 metres from Prince George Secondary School (separated by Massey Drive and a considerable change in topography).”
Council has given the first two readings to the proposed rezoning, which means the matter will go to a public hearing.
Council has also given the first two readings to a rezoning request from a numbered company, 550031 B.C. Ltd, to rezone 7250 Willow Cale Road and 7574 Willow Cale Road to permit a cannabis production facility.