Two existing cannabis stores in Gibsons have applied for rezoning and received their first reading from council during the March 18 regular meeting.
The two stores are at 442 Marine Drive and 1095 Sunshine Coast Highway.
A staff report at the meeting explains the store on Marine Drive had been operating under a Temporary Use Permit (TUP), which was issued on October 26, 2018, and expired in 2021, Since then, the use has been nonconforming.
Similarly, the store on Sunshine Coast Highway had been using a TUP issued in 2020, which expired in 2023 and with current non-conforming use.
The report states the town sent letters to all expired TUPs near the end of 2024 with suggested next steps, noting “The Permittee for the Cannabis store at both premises would like to legalize the use permanently by rezoning the two locations.”
Director of planning Lesley-Anne Staats explained the expired TUPs had passed the window of time where they could be renewed, therefore they suggested the applicant apply to rezone both areas to mixed-use commercial.
She confirmed both locations meet the locational criteria for cannabis stores within the Town of Gibsons, meaning, that both stores are not within 100 metres of an Elementary School and are more than 100 metres away from each other.
She also reaffirmed both stores have a provincial non-medical cannabis retail license which is posted in the respective stores.
Council unanimously voted to grant first reading and and notified all neighbouring properties within 100 metres.
Jordan Copp is the Coast Reporter’s civic and Indigenous affairs reporter. This reporting beat is made possible by the Local Journalism Initiative.
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