Two applications for cannabis retail stores in Coquitlam’s City Centre neighbourhood are set to go out for public comment later this month.
Tonight (Monday), city council will review the bids by Kansas Enterprises and High Point Cannabis for its proposals for
- The Local Leaf Cannabis (109-2957 Glen Dr.)
- KJ’s Best Cannabis (103-2700 Barnet Hwy.)
and are expected to give first readings to the rezoning plans to move them to public hearing on April 25.
Under its regulatory framework adopted last December, city council is considering two cannabis shops for City Centre, as well as one each in Burquitlam, Lougheed, Austin Heights and Maillardville.
The Canadian government legalized cannabis for recreational use in October 2018.
In January, Coquitlam city staff received 11 applications for the six potential sites, including four for City Centre; the other two that are not being considered are
- BC Liquor Distribution Branch (750-3025 Lougheed Hwy., formerly Boston Pizza)
- Dutch Love Cannabis (1060-2929 Barnet Hwy., on the exterior of Coquitlam Centre mall)
In a report to come before the April 4 city council meeting, Andrew Merrill, Coquitlam’s director of development services, wrote that one proposal was withdrawn by the applicant, while the other wasn’t supported because of location concerns.
For The Local Leaf Cannabis that, if approved, would be across the street from Brown’s Socialhouse Town Centre restaurant, Kansas Enterprises is proposing that its products not be visible from the outside. The store is set to be open from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily and would employ about eight full-time staff and eight part-time employees.
But the plans are getting mixed reviews: Of the 33 emails that the city received once the rezoning sign went up in February, 19 respondents supported the store citing good location, economic spin-offs and product demand, while 14 people opposed it for reasons that include proximity to residences, schools, daycares and family restaurants, as well as parking, noise and odour concerns.
For the KJ’s Best Cannabis proposal — to be sited between Lougheed Highway and Aberdeen Avenue, if OK’d — it’s set to be open from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday to Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Sundays; it would hire six full-time staff.
On this bid, the city received one letter in opposition to the store signs.
To have your say at the public hearing on April 25, visit coquitlam.ca/publichearing.
