The operator of Abraham’s cannabis stores in Inuvik, Fort Simpson and Fort Smith is planning to open one in central Yellowknife.
The plan for 5013 48 Street put forward by George Abraham – also the owner of Lil Ava’s Pizza & Pasta in Inuvik and Hay River – was approved by the city. The final day to appeal is Tuesday.
An adjacent daycare and dentist’s office raised concerns regarding the proposed cannabis store’s safety and contribution to loitering.
“While we recognize that cannabis retail is a lawful business, the issue before the City is not whether cannabis is legal. The issue is whether this is an appropriate location for that use,” read a comment submitted by Nellie’s Academy Day Centre, which opposed granting the store planning permission.
The daycare said a cannabis store beside it may “discourage families from enrolling their children at Nellie’s Academy,” and said the store would increase traffic, impeding “peak drop-off and pick-up periods.”
Advertisement.
Advertisement.
In a written response published alongside the notice of decision on the City of Yellowknife’s website, Abraham said the new store would open at 11am, limiting disturbance to the daycare. The store will have windows designed to ensure cannabis products cannot be seen from the outside as well as security personnel, Abraham wrote.
In a planning report accompanying its decision, the city said it is responsible for ensuring the proposed business follows city legislation. There is no legislation dictating which businesses a cannabis store can or cannot be beside, including a daycare, the city noted. (The issue was briefly examined by a past council but dropped.)
The daycare argued the cannabis store does not enhance the “community character” of the area, while Abraham said the concern is actually “the stigma associated with cannabis.”
A regulated cannabis store “contributes safety” and keeps money “within the community by reducing black market activity,” Abraham wrote.
Advertisement.
Advertisement.
“The development is consistent with the intent of the downtown area by contributing to the range of commercial services available to residents and visitors,” the city said.
Increased loitering and intoxication
A comment appearing to have been filed by the owner of the Great Slave Dental Clinic asserts the cannabis store would add to the “well-documented, ongoing problem with loitering and intoxication” in Yellowknife’s downtown.
The commenter asked that the city deny the application or impose conditions like restricted hours, entrance monitoring, or a loitering mitigation plan “to prevent this development from worsening an already serious safety issue for neighbouring businesses.”
“The applicant has no control over [the] general public, but will take all reasonable measures to ensure that its own premises does not become a place for loitering or unlawful activity,” Abraham said in the letter responding to public comments.
The planning report states the cannabis store will have on-site security and camera monitoring to “discourage cannabis consumption on or loitering near the premises.”
The city said municipal legislation doesn’t regulate the potential behaviour of patrons. It directed concerns about noise, loitering, nuisance and unsightly conditions to its municipal enforcement decision.
Cabin Radio requested an interview with Abraham or a member of management at the proposed cannabis store but did not hear back prior to publication.
The company said it wants to open a cannabis store in Yellowknife because it sees the city as a “stable and underserved” market.
