The Town of Bonnyville has passed their land use bylaw for recreational cannabis, along with the licensing permit fee.
During their regular meeting on Tuesday, July 10, council discussed the land use bylaw determining where retailers will be allowed to sell cannabis in Bonnyville, and if there should be a limit to how many can set-up shop.
“We have to answer the question of whether or not we’re going to restrict the number of stores,” explained CAO Mark Power. “The bylaw didn’t deal with that, and there was some discussion about the possibility on if we should cap that.”
Mayor Gene Sobolewski reached out to the Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission (AGLC) on whether they would be limiting the number of licenses for recreational cannabis retailers. He was told they would defer to municipalities.
Although provincial licensing is being controlled by the AGLC, they won’t determine the number of licenses issued in each municipality. Instead, applicants must demonstrate that they can find a location approved by the town based on the local bylaws.
Sobolewski explained that the AGLC will approve licenses based on their criteria, and will use the town bylaws when making a final decision on whether to approve or refuse an applicant.
Coun. Brian McEvoy believes a cap on the number of licenses issued in Bonnyville isn’t necessary.
“If we put a cap on it now with the province’s limit of 240, it’s not going to have an impact, and as things evolve we’ll be back here dealing with this to take it off,” McEvoy said.
Coun. Rene Van Brabant feels there won’t be a need for a limit because the population size of Bonnyville will draw one retailer to the area.
The town decided to go one step further than the province’s recommended 100-metre setback for stores and public areas.
Council has set the buffer zone at a minimum 150-metres from schools, child care centres, provincial healthcare facilities, and public playgrounds, but decided not to include churches, halls, and legions.
Sobolewski said council was better off not adding more public areas to the bylaw, because things could change once the AGLC decided how they will regulate consumption.
“We might be changing this bylaw to fit the Province of Alberta,” he expressed.
Cannabis retailers are limited to one sign per location, and won’t be permitted to advertise their products on any windows.
During a public open house in the spring, the public supported a distance of 100-metres between a cannabis store and places where tobacco and alcohol are sold, this buffer zone was included in the bylaw.
The business license bylaw was another hot topic. Council had to determine just how much they would charge cannabis retailers for a business license.
Power explained the cannabis license and application fee was all-inclusive to all new businesses in Bonnyville, and would be the same as other businesses.
“The application for a business license is $300 under this proposed bylaw,” he said. “We clarified some things in the bylaw, and the late payment penalty has been added as well.”
A $50 late fee will be enforced if a business misses the first deadline. The fee doubles when a business doesn’t pay the second installment, and the license will be suspended if the fees aren’t paid.
