Council approves cannabis rules

DIDSBURY - At its regular council meeting on Sept. 11, councillors passed an amendment to the land use bylaw setting policies for where any cannabis retail stores and production facilities can operate within Didsbury.

The change will bring the Town of Didsbury into line with provincial and federal regulations, said Matthew Konowalchuk, Didsbury manager of planning and development.

Didsbury mayor Rhonda Hunter said council weighed a number of factors in its decision in regards to the land use bylaw policy for cannabis retail and production, including the results of a survey that was completed by 350 residents.

"Council was interested in achieving a good balance that would meet business and commercial-industrial needs while recognizing and listening to resident input and expectations," said Hunter.

"The importance is in recognizing the need to minimize exposure to our youth and to other sensitive recreation, medical and academic areas."

Hunter said the town strengthened the province’s minimum requirements and included additional setback areas and facilities: playgrounds, sports fields and indoor sports facilities, due to youth being included in the users of these areas.

"The survey was taken into account and had to be measured in regard to the negative and positive impacts the results would have on how restrictive or inclusive the setbacks would be for potential businesses interested in opening retail and/or production facilities in town," said Hunter.

Earlier in the meeting, the town held a public hearing for the bylaw.  Konowalchuk talked about the bylaw and the proposed setbacks. He also talked about the results of the survey.

The background information stated that the town received approximately 350 completed surveys and the results were posted on the town's website.

Provincial regulations state that there must be a minimum setback of 100 metres between school sites and hospitals and proposed cannabis retail stores. The survey results were fairly split between the minimum 100-metre setback and increasing the setback to 200 metres.

After careful consideration, administration deemed that the health and safety benefits to enforce a 200- metre setback would not outweigh the negative impacts of limiting business opportunities of cannabis retail sales.

The policy presented including a 100-metre buffer from schools, playgrounds, school fields and sports facilities to ensure there is broader potential for cannabis retail sales in commercial districts. The policy also states a 200-metre buffer from cannabis production facilities and existing residential subdivisions.

Administration also recommended that the setback distance may be reduced up to the minimum provincial regulations if an applicant can clearly indicate that no adverse land use impacts would occur as a result of proposed cannabis uses and specific existing land uses.