There may be a compromise in the works regarding a controversial cannabis store proposed for Woolwich Street.
Kitchener-based The Cannabist Shop wants to open a 2,500 square-foot retail store at 739 Woolwich St., currently the home of a flower shop, just south of Woodlawn Road.
The problem is a large youth services and mental health hub is set to be built on the lot next door, leading to opposition for the cannabis store being so close from several community social service organizations.
But at Thursday’s city Committee of Adjustment meeting, the agent for the cannabis store asked that an application for a minor variance it requires be deferred.
Drew Gillingham said they have deferred the application for consideration at another time because they are in discussion with the neighbouring property owner and the main tenant of the proposed youth hub, The Canadian Mental Health Association of Waterloo Wellington (CMHAWW).
“It’s premature at this point,” Gillingham said of the application. “We’re in discussion with them.”
No date was set for it to return.
Helen Fishburn, executive director of the CMHAWW confirmed later Thursday that discussions are ongoing.
""The applicant has been very respectful and understanding of our need to protect vulnerable children and youth when our new mental health facility/youth hub opens and are working with us to find a 'win/win' solution for our city."
Thursday was the second time the application has come before the city’s Committee of Adjustment. In March the six-person committee had a tie vote on whether to allow it, resulting in it coming back.
A cannabis store is a permitted use on the property if it can get the minor variance approved.
But the proposed youth and mental health centre, The Centre for Children's Developmental & Mental Health Services, is supposed to open in the winter of 2021 if everything goes according to plan and its backers say a pot store should not be next door.
Given that the application was deferred Thursday, opponents did not get the opportunity to delegate.
Neither project has the final paperwork it needs at this point.
The cannabis store is still waiting to hear if its application to the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario has been approved and also needs the minor variance.
The youth mental health hub does not yet have final site plan approval from the city.
“At this point, our client anticipates receiving site plan approval from the City in the next couple of weeks, has already applied for the necessary building permits, and anticipates starting construction shortly thereafter. The commencement of the project is imminent,” said Eric Davis, the lawyer representing the CMHAWW, in a letter.
Several others wrote letters to the Committee of Adjustment asking them to reject the cannabis store at that location.
They included the Homewood Research Institute.
“I urge you to not allow this to happen. Requiring people seeking treatment for addiction and mental health issues to go to an office close to a store selling cannabis would place many of them at risk each time they come for help,” wrote Roy Cameron, the institute’s executive director.
Previously a representative of the applicant argued that a cannabis store next door is no different than The Beer Store that is across the road on Woolwich Street.
City staff recommended allowing the minor variance because cannabis sale is a legitimate retail business allowed under the zoning.
But the city also has established that it would oppose any cannabis retail store that was within 150 metres of a “sensitive location/concern zone” that includes, among other things, youth facilities, mental health facilities and addiction centres.
The catch being that city staff doesn’t seem prepared to oppose a project that hasn’t yet received final approval.
The staff recommendation to allow the cannabis store includes a caveat that things could change if the youth services hub is “established” prior to licencing.
“At this time, By-law staff have advised the applicant that the property meets the requirements to allow a cannabis store subject to the retail use being permitted, but that may change if any sensitive land uses in the area are established prior to licencing,” says the staff report.
