Public hearing held allowing residents to express their opinions about dispensary
On March 14 a Public Hearing was held at the Community Center in Kipling to give residents the opportunity to comment on two Discretionary Use Development Applications that had been submitted to Council.
One of these Development Applications pertained to a Discretionary Use Development Application for a residential garage that would exceed 720 sq. ft. The second pertained to a Discretionary Use Development Application for a retail cannabis store that would be located at the Spot Free Car Wash location in the Light Industrial area of Kipling.
Approximately 30 residents attended the Public Hearing.
In her opening comments, Mayor Pat Jackson noted that letters regarding both Development Applications had been sent to landowners located close to where the proposed developments are situated. She also noted that the hearing was specifically intended to gauge community reaction to the Development Applications which had been received.
There was one submission received regarding the Development Application for the residential garage. The submission had no issues with the garage as presented.
However, two written submissions pertaining to the proposed cannabis retail outlet were read out at the hearing. One of these written submissions favoured the development. The second opposed it.
Several of those in attendance also spoke about the proposed cannabis store.
Concerns regarding the hours which the cannabis store would operate were addressed by an individual involved with the proposed development, who stated that the facility would be open only between the hours of 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. and would be closed on Sundays and Mondays.
Although some comments regarding the possible consequences of continued “normalization” of cannabis use were made, there were no objections to the Development Application currently under consideration.
Once all in-person submissions had been heard, the Public Hearing was subsequently adjourned.
