The temporary use permit for a cannabis retail shop in Lac La Hache has been renewed by the Cariboo Regional District (CRD) for another three years.
During the regular CRD board meeting Thursday, Nov. 7, directors were asked to vote on approving the renewal.
It was passed unanimously.
Unity is located at 4842 Hamilton Road in a small strip mall and opened in June 2022.
It is part of a chain of cannabis retail shops owned by Williams Lake First Nation. The other locations are Williams Lake, Penticton and Merritt.
Electoral Area G director Al Richmond said before the store opened, there was a discussion about possibly rezoning the area for the cannabis shop, but that did not happen because of the uncertainty whether the store would remain open or not.
As it has continued to operate, so the request came for a renewal of the temporary use permit, he explained.
Manager of planning Nigel Whitehead told the board in its business plan for next year, the CRD will be moving forward with bringing a draft of a bylaw amendment considering allowing cannabis retail is zones that currently permits liquor retail sales.
Richmond said none of the concerns the community had have manifested, such as odours or addition of crime, that he is aware of.
“As planning indicated, we are looking at how we might rezone in the future. They have done a very good job of the store,” he said. “The storefront looks good. I was in there the other day and did have a look around to see how it was going.”
The application to renew the permit was carried unanimously.
“I think’s it’s reasonable to have a temporary use permit rather than go to the expense of rezoning if you are not sure if it is going to be successful,” said chair Margo Wagner.
