Langford tightens liquor zoning in preparation for legalized marijuana sales

New regulations could prevent pot shops from popping up on every corner

Katherine Engqvist

A housekeeping bylaw meant to tidy up zoning for liquor retailers in Langford is laying the groundwork for pot shops once recreational marijuana use is legalized.

“I don’t want to sell liquor on every street corner, it’s a family community,” said Langford Mayor Stew Young, adding that philosophy would eventually apply to marijuana as well. “We’re tightening up on liquor just to get ready.”

Essentially, Young said, the amendments would create more specific zoning to further restrict the sale of alcohol. A parallel or combined bylaw could eventually include marijuana dispensaries. Among the amendments is a regulation preventing stores from selling alcohol, including wine, within 800 metres of an existing liquor or retail wine store.

Young said the federal government has sent mixed messages on just how it intends to roll out the legalization of recreational marijuana use. That said, Langford council wants to ensure the sale of pot doesn’t have a big, in-your-face presence.

“We’re open to it, we just have to make sure it’s done right and not impacting the kids,” Young said, adding this would be the groundwork to build further bylaws on.

In the meantime, the liquor sale bylaw amendments will also allow council more control of where retailers will be permitted to sell alcohol. While the final permits and licences are under the province’s jurisdiction, land use falls to municipalities.

“The Superstore’s a test, we’ll see how it goes,” Young noted.

The Real Canadian Superstore recently obtained approvals from the Liquor Control and Licensing Branch (LCLB) to sell B.C. wines in Langford. According to a staff report to council, this was done through a “specialty wine license” obtained at an auction hosted by the province. The license allows the sale of B.C. wine in addition to the sale of food and other goods in retail stores larger than 10,000 square feet.

When staff inquired about the City’s involvement in this process, they were told the LCLB confirms that the location of the licensee complies with municipal zoning regulations.

There are three types of licenses that allow for the sale of liquor for consumption off site that do not require any formal involvement from council. They include the specialty wine license, wine stores and licensee retail stores.

This bylaw amendment, Young said, is the first step in preparing for the legalization of marijuana.