A local business owner used his entire allotted 15-minutes trying to convince city officials to let his company build a retail cannabis outlet in Rutland 91裸聊视频� but the proposal was shot down by Kelowna91裸聊视频檚 councillors.

Council voted 6-2 against considering rezoning property in the Willow Park Mall on Highway 33 to allow Argent Diversified Holdings (ADH) president Matt Dober to set up shop.

ADH owns Flora Cannabis and several other businesses in the city. At the centre of the issue was that ADH91裸聊视频檚 propose location is within 500 metres of another cannabis retail outlet, Eggs Canna, located across Highway 33, in the Hollywood Station Mall. That is not allowed under city bylaws.

91裸聊视频淲hat public harm will be caused by permitting us to operate at this location?91裸聊视频� asked Dober in making his case to council. 91裸聊视频淐ouncil has approved other locations within 500 metres, that is our argument.91裸聊视频�

Flora has three stores in Kelowna, but none in the Rutland neighbourhood. The only other cannabis store in the area is Cheeba Cheebas on Rutland Road South. Most of council supported staying with the bylaw, although some councillors and Dober pointed out exceptions have been made in downtown Kelowna.

91裸聊视频淚 submit the Rutland urban area is downtown 2.0,91裸聊视频� said Dober.

Councillor Charlie Hodge supported the rezoning and added he didn91裸聊视频檛 feel a third store in the Rutland area would create major competition.

91裸聊视频�91裸聊视频業91裸聊视频檝e never agreed with the 500-metre policy,91裸聊视频� he said.

Mayor Colin Basran supported rezoning and sending the development to a public hearing, but decided to vote against.

Coun. Brad Sieben excused himself from the discussion, citing a conflict of interest.

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gary.barnes@kelownacapnews.com
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