The City of Kamloops will look at amending zoning to accommodate recreational cannabis production.

In a report to council, city staff are seeking authorization to remove from its zoning bylaw references to medical cannabis grow-operations in favour of broader terminology: cannabis production facilities.

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City business licence inspector Dave Jones said the city is cleaning up the language following legalization of recreational cannabis this past fall.

“Basically doing some housekeeping to keep up with the times,” he told KTW.

While applications for cannabis stores have been before council in a steady stream since legalization on Oct. 17, interest in production has been felt behind the scenes. Jones said the city has received “lots of inquiries” related to cannabis production in the city, but just two applications have so far been submitted for facilities in Dallas and on Mission Flats.

“I don’t know the exact size of them, but substantially big enough, obviously, that they’d fall under a regular grow,” Jones said. “It’s not a micro-producer — substantially bigger ones.”

Unlike retail applications, production facilities do not require council approval, but they must comply with zoning and building regulations. Cannabis growing and manufacturing is regulated by the federal government. Health Canada is the gatekeeper for micro-cultivation (200 square metres or less), standard cultivation, nurseries, processing, micro-processing, analytical testing and research licenses.

So far in Canada, about 150 licences have been approved.

“We [city] just look at it from a building code perspective. Does the building meet code? Does it meet the fire code? Does it meet our zoning code?” Jones said. “We kind of stay out at that end of things.”

In Kamloops, medical cannabis production facilities are permitted in general and heavy industrial zones, locations also proposed for recreational cannabis production. Agricultural properties are recommended for such use.

Further, the staff report recommends maintaining the status quo in regulating facilities be 150 metres from residential properties and schools. A mechanical ventilation system would also be required to prevent odours. Jones said one hurdle facing cannabis growers in Kamloops is availability of water and electricity. Large-scale grows depend on ample supply of both. One inquiry at Tranquille Farm, for example, did not pan out, due to limited power.

Jones said applicants haver told the city of inquiries in different locations that may not have the requisite power needed to operate a grow facility.

“They might have to come in and do a power upgrade with hydro, which would be fairly expensive,” he said.

Council will discuss the regulations on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, the city is also researching whether to amend its business licence fees for cannabis production or manufacturing facilities. Jones said taken into consideration will be what, if any, impact they will have on resources, related to education and enforcement. For example, will police resources be tied up due to break-ins at cannabis grow-op facilities?

“Going back to the reason why our cannabis retail licenses are high is realizing, potentially, the operation of those businesses could have an impact on the citizens of Kamloops, could create more of a demand on our resources,” Jones said.

Meanwhile, two more cannabis store applications are headed to city council on Tuesday. Both proposals are downtown: at 231 Fourth Ave. and at 234 Victoria St. The latter application has been denied by staff, due to its proximity (94 metres) from a store previously approved by council, at 240 Lansdowne St. Such stores in Kamloops must be at least 100 metres from one another.

Jones said the applicant moved forward with the application despite advice from staff. He said providing variances to businesses that do not comply with the city’s rules at this point is “too soon.” Council already opted to decrease that distance during zoning talks prior to legalization from 150 metres to 100 metres.

“It’s six metres this time, 10 metres this time. When do you stop?” Jones asked, noting the intent is to avoid clustering.

The city’s first private recreational cannabis store, The Shore Cannabiz Shop, is expected to open soon at 399 Tranquille Rd. on the North Shore. Should council approve pending applications according to staff recommendations, the city will have given the nod to14 stores by the end of Tuesday.

Council has thus far denied one application, at 6-685 Tranquille Rd. due to opposition from Lii Michif Otipemisiwak non-profit members concerned about impacts on clientele (youth and residential school survivors), crime in the area and parking.

Many stores continue to wait for final approval from the province.

“My prediction, 20, is getting close,” Jones said.

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