Town of Kindersley council approves permit for cannabis business
By Stu Salkeld
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Your West Central Voice
KINDERSLEY – The Town of Kindersley approved a permit for a cannabis business based in the local mall. The resolution was passed at the Sept. 14 regular meeting of council.
Infrastructure and Development Manager Chad Levitt presented councillors with a discretionary use development permit application for the commercial district located at 608 12th Avenue East, which was described later in the meeting as the Kindersley Mall.
The application was for a retail cannabis dispensary. “The zone at this location is designated as C4 Shopping Centre Commercial District which permits retail cannabis dispensary, as a discretionary use in the Town of Kindersley’s zoning bylaw,” stated the staff memo to councillors.
Staff quoted sections of the zoning bylaw which laid out rules for retail cannabis dispensaries, including that such an operation is approved by the federal and provincial governments and that sells cannabis and any of its derivatives; further, it noted that cannabis retail stores must maintain a setback of 150 metres from schools, playgrounds, parks, licensed daycares and places of worship.
The bylaw also noted, “Signs for Cannabis Grow Operations and Cannabis Retail Stores shall not contain any imagery or wording that is intended to encourage persons under the age of 19 years to consume cannabis and its derivatives.”
Readers should note development permits for a permitted use are usually automatically approved by a municipality, whereas a discretionary use must first come before council and be directly approved.
Levitt noted the town sent written notices to neighbours about this application and received no responses.
He also noted the Town of Kindersley worked with the mall managers on this application and the process went very smoothly.
Councillors unanimously approved the discretionary use application for a retail cannabis dispensary including all conditions listed in the bylaw.