Estevan city council has decided to hold off on approval for changes to its cannabis bylaw, opting instead to make at least one more tweak.
Council gave first reading to the amended bylaw at its January meeting, and the document came back for second and third readings at the Feb. 22 meeting. But due to further desired changes, they decided to abandon it.
The bylaw change was initially needed because Moonlit Cannabis wants to establish a retailer in Estevan. Their plan was to be in the 1000-block of Sixth Street, which is outside of the designated retail areas for parts of Fourth Street, 13th Avenue, King Street and Kensington Avenue.
A bylaw amendment would be needed to allow Moonlit Cannabis to open on Sixth.
Now the company wants to be located on one of the designated roads.
Council will now look to amend the bylaw to allow cannabis retailers on Sixth Street and Souris Avenue South, as well the area contained within Fourth Street, 13th Avenue, Sixth Street and Souris Avenue South.
Council did receive one letter regarding the development, from Tanya Feser and Teresa Dyer, who voiced their support for the second retailer. They are pleased to see more businesses in Estevan.
Land development services manager Richard Neufeld and Police Chief Paul Ladouceur will canvass the neighbourhood before the amended bylaw is brought before council.
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Council denied a request from Kerry Gilroy to have the local improvement fee for her building in the 700 block of Fourth Street waived.
In a letter to council, Gilroy noted that 10 years ago a rotating water box was installed in her building, as it was her understanding that pipes weren’t dug low enough during a water main replacement in 2007.
She’s had issues with water in the basement, and she has had to turn down business.
Gilroy asked for the final local improvement payment in 2020 to be waived.
Council members noted a similar request for local improvements was denied a few years ago.
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Council addressed the support for the Habitat for Humanity chapter and a possible partnership with the Estevan Art Gallery and Museum.
Councillor Lindsay Clark, who is a member of the Estevan Art Gallery and Museum board, said the North West Mounted Police Museum is in need of repairs to the exterior, and a partnership with Habitat for Humanity could work. The Habitat committee has looked at the museum building, and the city would pay habitat for the repairs. Discussions are ongoing for how to proceed.
“I think they’re a good group that would be willing to do that,” said Clark. “It’s not just a go slap a couple of coats of paint on it project.”
The North West Mounted Police building is one of the first things that people see when they drive into the city. If it’s in better shape, it would draw more attention to the EAGM and the Eli Mandel Park where the buildings are located.
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Council has decided that Shop Estevan bucks will not be accepted at the Estevan Leisure Centre and other city facilities. The city has received requests from the public about the promotional cash, which was introduced by the Shop Estevan committee as another incentive to shop locally. Some people had wondered whether the money could be used for facility passes at the Estevan Leisure Centre, the Visitor Information Centre and even for paying taxes or utility bills.
Council wants Shop Estevan bucks to be spent with local businesses.
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Council approved a couple of commercial permits that came through land development services. The first was for Save the Stress Cleaning Service to relocate into the former SaskPower building at 234 Fifth Street. It would share the space with another business.
The other permit is for Polish Kitchen to move into the property formerly occupied by Living Sky Cross Fit on Sixth Street. Polish Kitchen is using the space for manufacturing of perogies and other foods.
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The monthly building permit report for January showed there were two permits worth $130,605 issued in January. Both were classified as miscellaneous.
