INNISFAIL - The town is just a couple of steps away from having at least three cannabis retail stores.
The town's Municipal Planning Commission (MPC) recently approved a trio of development permit applications. An appeal hearing is scheduled for the Subdivision Development Appeal Board (SDAB) on Oct. 3 to jointly deal with one successful applicant and another that was denied.
Final municipal approval is required before the province's Alberta Gaming & Liquor Commission (AGLC) will issue a retail cannabis store licence, which it can only begin to do on Oct. 17 when the federal government officially legalizes cannabis.
Innisfail's recent approvals are in sharp contrast to recent cannabis news in Olds where five marijuana processing companies are in various stages of setting up. However, Olds has not issued any development permits for retail sales outlets. While there has been four retail licence applications made to the AGLC for locations in Olds, the town’s council has not finalized Land Use Bylaw (LUB) amendments setting out requirements for their development.
Meanwhile, the three Innisfail MPC members who heard the latest development permit application on Sept. 18 were pleased with the progress the town has made in attracting new businesses that want to set up shop in the community.
"It is good for everybody all around. I think it shows a lot of confidence in Innisfail that we've had this number of applications," said Coun. Danny Rieberger, who chaired the Sept. 18 MPC meeting. "Obviously the applicants feel Innisfail is a viable place to come and do business. I think that is a great sign."
Coun. Jean Barclay, who also sits on MPC, agreed but added the cannabis retail industry is brand new and it will "evolve" over time, making it difficult to predict what it will look like five or 10 years from now.
"Right now it is based on recreational use. I think the medical side is already quite huge, and then down the road you start getting into infused drinks. Who knows what?" said Barclay. "The market will continue to evolve, mature and expand. The market will dictate. That is what capitalism is."
The latest MPC development permit application heard on Sept. 18. dealt with an Ontario numbered company's proposal to set up a cannabis retail outlet in the old Source store location at Henday Mall, with the intent to develop 2,800 square feet for the sale of cannabis products and related merchandise.
MPC was told through a report by Tracey Krenn, the town's development officer, the application met all LUB setback requirements of being at least 100 metres from a school, hospital, library, playground or existing cannabis-approved store.
"It seemed pretty straightforward to me; seems to meet all the conditions that were set," said Rieberger of MPC's quick approval of the third successful development permit application for a cannabis retail store for the community.
On Aug. 21 MPC heard three development permit applications for new cannabis retail outlets, with two being approved and one denied.
MPC approved the first development permit application for a pot store in the community from Revive Cannabis Inc. If its licence is approved by the AGLC, the company will develop 2,511 square feet of space in the Wild Tim's Liquor Store building at 4919 - 50th Street.
The second successful development permit application was from Green Box Cannabis. The company wants to redevelop a 50 foot by 120 foot parcel of land at 4915 - 47th Ave., currently occupied by an older single- family dwelling. The plan is to demolish the house and construct a new building with 1,600 square feet of commercial space for a new cannabis retail store.
Reports to MPC said both applicants met all required LUB setback requirements.
However, a third development permit application to MPC by Alair Homes -- agent of Cannabis Cowboys -- for a cannabis retail outlet was denied. The company wants to open a store at #101 - 4911 - 50th Street. The plan is to develop 1,637 square feet of space in the building's most easterly bay.
However, the report to MPC noted the location was within 100 metres of an existing approved cannabis store, the successful Revive Cannabis application, and contrary to LUB guidelines.
Both applications are now subject to an appeal hearing to the SDAB on Oct. 6.
