Correspondence: Letter dated March 17, 2020 from L. Thompson
Letter from a resident expressing concerns about the store's proximity to a middle school bus hub and youth congregation areas.
March 17, 2020
Town of View Royal 45 View Royal Ave Victoria, BC V9B 1A6
To Whom it May Concern;
I am writing in regards to the proposed Retail Cannabis Store. I would like to state a few concerns that I have with regards to this proposed store.
I would like to first address the fact that this a new industry and is still working out many of the legalities with regards to licensing and regulations. My biggest concern is this a legally licensed distribution centre? If so, I have copied a portion of the licensing information:
Local governments and Indigenous nations may have local requirements with respect to the location of cannabis retail stores and, particularly, their proximity to other cannabis retail stores and areas where young people may commonly congregate. For example, they might not allow cannabis retail stores to operate in close proximity to one another or schools.
The area around Admirals Walk is close to a middle school and before and after school this area is full of young people taking the bus. This is a major bus hub for the middle school kids. If such a store were to be considered I feel the proposed hours of 9am to 11pm would not be appropriate with the large number of young people that congregate in this area after 3pm. Appropriate hours would be after 5pm once the middle school kids have left the area.
I would also like to state that this is an area that I have shopped in for 20 years. It is a family-oriented area and I really do not feel that this store would add any value to the shopping centre. This is a centre with doctors, health professionals, pharmacy, grocery shopping, etc. I do realise that there is a liquor store in this area but I question the need for a cannabis store as well.
Thank you for allowing me to express my concerns,
Lisa Thompson 22 Demos Place Victoria BC