Flight Deck Cannabis Co. is hoping to move locations following a lengthy application process that requires provincial and municipal approval and rezoning.
With local bylaws limiting where retailers can sell cannabis in the village, Flight Deck Cannabis took over a space at 1160 Sun Peaks Rd., adjacent to the Burfield West development nearly six years ago.
Occupying this space required a site-specific rezoning application, similar to what will be needed to relocate due to the municipality’s Business License Bylaw.
In that time, co-owner Sonya Nasilowski has seen support for her shop increase, and is hoping to shift to a more central location to meet community and tourist needs.
“It’s currently very hard for tourists, especially if they’re staying in the east end of the village, to get to our location,” she said. “So, I think it’s just going to give us more traffic.”
But moving the location into the Sun Peaks Grand Residences building at 3250 Village Wy. isn’t straightforward.
Section 33 of the Cannabis Control and Licensing Act requires a “positive recommendation” for relocating from the local government, in this case, Sun Peaks Mountain Resort Municipality, prior to relocating.
Additionally Sun Peaks’ Business License Bylaw restricts the sale of cannabis, requiring it be 250 metres away from a park, school, library and others.
Two parks including the Plaza and Parcel S are located within the requested relocation area, and in accordance with provincial regulations council must provide a written recommendation to the Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch as to whether it will consider the application.
“This isn’t approving it or not approving it. It’s just to get the feedback from council on whether you would like to proceed,” said director of planning and community services, Demitri Hofer when instructing council during the March 10 council meeting. “We will then proceed down the normal rezoning path now.”
Flight Deck Enterprises Inc. now has to undergo a site-specific rezoning application for the new location, because in Sun Peaks cannabis sales are not included as part of retail sales. This process includes a public hearing, which was held June 9 and garnered 30 written submissions in support and 24 in opposition.
The co-owners of Flight Cannabis Co. emphasized their track record of five-years incident free and requested parity with the nearby liquor store. They also introduced a voluntary “social contract,” which entails frosting their lower windows for limited visibility for children with discreet signage and adding the distribution of free pocket ashtrays for the community.
Numerous residents of Sun Peaks came forward in support of the rezoning amendment, speaking to the convenience for tourists, the safety benefits for pedestrians travelling to the location and the applicant’s excellent standing in the community.
Some opponents, primarily linked The Grand Residences voiced their concerns about security with the retail space being accessible through their residential lobby that has a lack of key-fob restrictions.
Municipal staff confirmed that the proposed space is already designed for retail use and that the proper public notification procedures were legally followed. Ultimately, council gave three readings followed by adoption. Council also granted a site-specific exemption to the 250-metre park buffer zone and forwarded a resolution of support to the BC Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch.
The proposed location is relatively sheltered for folks who aren’t in favour, Nasilowski said.
“It’s not quite exposed to the village walk, so I think it does give the people that don’t want to see it a little bit of breathing room and space,” she explained.
Editor’s note: This article was edited June 18 to include additional information from the June 9 council meeting and public hearing.
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