Delta council on Monday gave the final approval for a non-medical cannabis store at the Ladner Centre shopping mall.
The application by Imagine Cannabis Co. would see a store open in a currently vacant unit, which would include 608-square-feet of retail storefront and 285-square-feet for office and storage.
The planning department notes there is adequate on-site parking and the location is sufficiently far away from sensitive uses such as schools and parks.
Coun. Lois Jackson was the only member of council to vote in opposition, saying it’s not suitable to allow cannabis dispensaries in shopping malls. She said they should instead be located in the periphery areas of the city.
The store is proposed to be open seven days a week, from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m.
At a public hearing last month, applicant Harp Hoonjan, who also had an application to open a store in Tsawwassen approved, said they looked at several potential Ladner sites and that the unit at the shopping mall will be a discreet, conveniently located store that will be a fit for the community.
The application must still receive the blessing of the Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch before a business licence is granted by Delta.
It’s the only cannabis application currently on the books for Ladner, while applications have already been approved for dispensaries in North Delta, Tsawwassen and Annacis Island.
The city could end up with nine cannabis stores if all the applications currently in the system are approved and join the applications that have already been approved.
That includes an application to open a dispensary in an industrial area at 7550 River Road, which is still under review and is the last to come to council.
The city has imposed a moratorium on accepting and considering any further applications. It remains to be seen if that freeze will be lifted or become permanent.
Neighbouring municipalities Richmond and Surrey still do not allow retail cannabis stores.
