Chilliwack City Council approves Rosedale cannabis store rezoning

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Roger Huitema told councillors he had done an extensive renovation of the property and completed a new exterior facade, as well as septic work, paving work, proper drainage, and landscaping, to prepare the property.

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Huitema told councillors he planned to bring a pharmacy to Rosedale in conjunction with the application. He said he opened Dutch Brothers Buds on Vedder Road approximately 2 1/2 years ago and has fielded absolutely zero complaints associated with that store.

The applicant told council he made sure the proposed cannabis store had at least a 300-meter barrier from schools, playgrounds, supportive housing, and another cannabis locations, of which there are presently none in Rosedale.

As for why he chose Rosedale, Huitema said he recognized that the nearest licensed store for Rosedale-area residents was either a lengthy drive into Chilliwack or a drive of 40 kilometers to Hope.

Image: Mike Vanden Bosch / PML / This is the location of the proposed cannabis store at 51278 and 51296 Yale Road in Rosedale. Council approved a rezoning application at its meeting Tuesday night that would facilitate the future construction of a cannabis store. The store will likely be modeled after the Dutch Bros. Buds store at 5754 Vedder Road.

The proposed cannabis store entrance would be in the rear of the store, Huitema advised councillors. He also wanted to alleviate any concerns that a cannabis store would be present around a flood of afterschool students. Huitema told councillors he found that three students a day from nearby Rosedale Traditional School walked by the proposed cannabis store in the afternoon hours.

He stressed the need to provide Rosedale with a great variety of stores to meet people’s needs.

In response to questions from Councillor Kloot about lighting, Huitema stressed that he would provide an abundance of parking lot lighting for the approximately 11-12 parking spots planned for the cannabis store.

Huitema said he contacted approximately 60 addresses in the vicinity of the proposed cannabis store as part of his public engagement with neighbours.

Huitema said he plans to make the cannabis store replicate the look of his Dutch Bros. Buds store on Vedder.

“It’s going to be a fantastic-looking building when we’re done,” Huitema told councillors.

Gillian Villeneuve, director of planning for the City of Chilliwack, advised councillors that a development permit will still be required for the form and character of the proposed cannabis shop.

Councillor Bud Mercer, who sits on the Design Review Advisory Committee alongside Councillor Chris Kloot, recalled that it was not a very pleasant experience with the Dutch Bros. Buds building at 5754 Vedder Road. He said there was a lot of pushback, feedback and changes prior to the building’s construction.

“I reflect back that it wasn’t a smooth ride,” Councillor Mercer said.

Councillor Kloot said he wasn’t opposed to cannabis, but argued that Rosedale was a tight-knit community and that a cannabis store in Rosedale wasn’t the ideal fit.

“I have full confidence in the applicant; I’m concerned this might not be the right fit,” Kloot said.

Councillor Harv Westeringh said the community would not see him frequent a cannabis store, but threw his support behind the rezoning application.

“I wrestled with this one,” said Councillor Westeringh. “I did see a lot more support than opposition. If this passes, you won’t see me at the cannabis store. I do see the benefit of it.”