Regina councillor says no pot shop buffer for downtown is a 'mistake'

A Regina city councillor says it's a "mistake" to exclude the downtown core from proposed rules on buffer zones for cannabis dispensaries.

"We have as much a need to protect children in the downtown area as we do in any other area of the city," Ward 2 Coun. Bob Hawkins said.

A new report headed to this week's planning commission meeting proposes that pot shops not be allowed to operate in Reginawithin a block of schools, day caresand parks unless those places are located downtown.

The Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority has allotted six permits for retail cannabis permits to open up in the city.

Buffer zones around schools, day cares

It's up to the city to decide where the shops will be allowed to go.

City staff propose permitting cannabis dispensaries to be located onstreets designated as commercial strips, shopping centres and in the downtown.

"Generally, these zones are prevalent on major corridors, major intersections, large shopping centres in locations accessible by all forms of transportation and are highly visible," reads a report submitted by director of development services, Louise Folk, and executive director of civic planning and development, Diana Hawryluk.

One-block gap

City staff recommendestablishing a one-block minimumbuffer zonearound places associated with youth, such as schools, parks, playgrounds, rinks and community centres.

Hawkins, who voted down the city's allowance of legal pot shops entirely, believes the buffer zones should be two blocks, instead of one.

"I think young people, particularly in the teenage years, have no trouble walking a block," he said.

Besides reducing the visibility of such businesses, the report says buffer zones would avoid too many dispensaries opening next to one another.

Downtown exemption

It proposes to not establish buffer zones around youth-associated places in the downtown area. In Saskatoon, city staff recommended an exception for Broadway because it's a business hub.

"The [city] administration evaluated the impact of applying the separation distances in the downtown and found that most of the downtown would be restricted," according to a map that includes the locations of Victoria Park, the YMCA and YWCA.

"There's no case that can be made to lower protection provided to youth in any area of the city," Hawkins said on Monday.

Area councillor sees no problem

However, Coun. Andrew Stevens, whose ward includes the downtown, said he acceptsthe logic behind the proposed exemption.

He believes downtown is more dynamicthan other neighbourhoods, and isalready to a mix of different businesses, as well as residential areas, which makes it's suitable for retail cannabis.

As well, Stevens said he does not believe in taking a "temperance"-style approach when it comes to retail cannabis.

For the downtown, the report calls for dispensaries to be at least one civic block apart.

The Regina Planning Commission is set to meet and discuss the recommendationson Wednesday.