Following a two-month review, 15 cannabis retail applications have been accepted to move forward through the city’s standard rezoning process.
Next steps would require rezoning of properties to allow the sale of recreational cannabis, according to the City of Kelowna in a news release.
“Applications were reviewed by a panel of city staff and RCMP representatives using a Council-endorsed scoring matrix,” said Ryan Smith, community planning manager. “An independent consultant, Grant Thornton LLP, oversaw the evaluation process.”
Out of the 15 successful applications, five were decided through a lottery held Friday afternoon. The random lottery was used for applicants that were scored within five per cent and located within 500 metres of each other. Grant Thornton LLP oversaw the lottery, and applicants were invited to attend, the release said.
READ MORE: First private pot shop applications wending way through Kelowna city hall
“The timing for when cannabis retail stores are up and running will vary depending on the application,” said Smith. “In addition to requiring a site specific rezoning, applicants have to go through several licensing steps with both the city and the provincial government before they can open a store.”
Some applicants unsuccessful in moving forward either did not provide enough information, or the proposed location was too close to sensitive uses, such as supportive housing, social services offices or major child care centres.
Applications that were identified to begin moving forward in the rezoning process include:
·1675-1677 Commerce Avenue
·547-559 Bernard Avenue
·401 Glenmore Road
·2090 Harvey Avenue
·1455-1475 Harvey Avenue
·3818 Gordon Drive
·2339-2397 Hwy 97 North
·1977 Kirschner Road
·1310 St. Paul Street
·889 Vaughan Avenue
·140-160 Rutland Rd S
·175 Old Vernon Road, 2053, 2065 &2115 Rutland Court
·2121 Springfield Road
·1100 Lawrence Avenue
·5505-5507 Airport Way
Should council support the rezoning applications, and applicants receive the appropriate zoning for their property, they will then have to receive a non-medical cannabis retail licence through the provincial government as well as a business licence through the city, the release said.
For more information about the cannabis retail subzone and application process, and to see a draft map of properties that may allow a retail cannabis store, visit kelowna.ca/cannabis.
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