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BC Cannabis Store faces rejection in Kelowna

Published on February 20, 2020 by David Wylie

Kelowna city staff are recommending against a BC Cannabis Store location in Rutland due to “clustering.”

The proposed BCCS location on Highway 33 is facing rejection because it’s too close to another cannabis store already approved in the area.

However, the BC Liquor Distribution Branch is still seeking an amendment to allow them to open within 500 metres of the other store.

Kelowna city staff say the request by the province goes against its own provincial — and comparable — policy of keeping liquor stores a reasonable distance apart.

“The minimum distance of 500 metres is intended to avoid clustering of multiple stores, particularly in urban areas,” say staff in their report to council.

“This minimum proximity distance is similar to the provincial government requirement for a minimum of 1 km between new retail liquor stores.”

The proposed store in Willow Park Mall is 3,500 square feet and would employ 15 people.

The provincial government has a BCCS location open in Penticton and another coming soon in Vernon.