Cannabis retailer permit rejected by county
By John Watson Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
The Wheatland County Municipal Planning Commission refused Development Permit Application, DP 2024-036 for a cannabis store within the Hamlet of Gleichen.
The application suggested to see a retail cannabis store established approximately 200 meters west of Haskayne Ave, immediately northwest of the intersection of Main St. and 4 Ave.
This development permit application suggested to be the second cannabis retailer operation on Main St., located approximately 45 meters east of a preexisting retailer.
DP 2024-036 detailed the associated products which were to be sold should the permit be approved, as well as store operating hours, and anticipated traffic to such a retailer in the community.
Noted in the application, the store was proposed to be located in an existing building which has a permitted residential suite located in the rear portion.
County administration noted in 2022, the property had received a development permit for a vape store in the front of the building; however, because the store did not commence operations within 12 months of the permit’s approval, the permit was cancelled.
The location was noted to be in conformance with the Land Use Bylaw setbacks required for a cannabis retailer, which defer to the provincial minimum setbacks stipulated in the Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Regulation.
It was also noted the county’s utilities department has advised that the property had significant water leaks in 2018. Water to the location is currently turned off and the county has not been advised as to when it would be turned back on.
Due to the non-payment of utility bills, the unpaid utility fees are being consistently transferred to the tax roll. These charges are flat rates associated with delivering water services to the hamlet.
Administration had recommended the Municipal Planning Commission reject the development permit application, for reasons including the utility account for the property is perpetually in arrears, the taxes for the building have not been paid and the property is scheduled for tax auction, the estimation that an additional cannabis retailer within the community both does not align with the county’s social vision to enhance quality of life, as well as an anticipated potential negative impact on the community.
Following discussion, the Municipal Planning Commission relented that regardless of the nature of a legal business and products sold, encouraging competition amongst businesses is healthy for business development, and personal objections to a business or product were inappropriate to consider regarding the approval of a development permit.
The development permit application was unanimously defeated by the Municipal Planning Commission when voted upon following debate and discussion.