A cannabis store rezoning application was referred back to staff on Tuesday to see if local veterans could be consulted on it beforehand.

The applicant is seeking to rezone a portion of 8247 Young Road from a C5 (Liquor Primary) Zone to a C8 (Cannabis Retail) Zone, for a cannabis store, and to waive the bylaw's requirement for a 300-metre buffer.

The issue is the proposed cannabis retail location is less than 300 metres away from Sapper Park.

"The justification is that it is a "sub (neighbourhood) park and not used very much," Coun. Bud Mercer said about the triangular green space with a monument during the council discussion. "I guess my question and concern is how the veterans would accept that."

Sapper Park on Young Road, which was dedicated in 1996 listing names of the combat engineer regiment (1CER), is not to be confused with the All Sappers Memorial and Cenotaph on Vedder Road.

He asked if veterans' groups to be consulted, in person, due to mobility issues with many on "crutches or with canes", after staff noted that there are "multiple ways" for public engagement on a rezoning, such as providing written feedback, in person in council chambers or on Zoom.

"I'm just worried that as a group they are not as mobile as some," Mercer said before asking if there was a way to deal with the special request procedurally.

The Young Road property to be rezoned, where the former Friendly Mike's was located, includes a two-unit commercial building and a paved parking area.

The applicant advised they conducted email and telephone engagement with three of six neighbouring properties within a 30-metre vicinity, as per the bylaw requirements.

Coun. Jason Lum said he could see Coun. Mercer's point but worried about "setting precedent for all of our public hearings."

Coun. Chris Kloot said he saw the wisdom of the suggestion but said it might be better to refer it back to staff for input.

City CAO David Blain was asked by Mayor Ken Popove for a staff opinion on the referral, given it was a unique situation.

Blain noted it was "fair enough" for council to request a "stronger engagement process" and based on that criteria he didn't think they were violating the hearing bylaw, and agreed the best way to handle it was referral back to staff.

Coun. Harv Westeringh noted that the building used to be a beer-and-wine store and the park out front, Sapper Park, was rarely used, adding: "I don't see a problem with the proposal."
Coun. Nicole Read said anyone "associated with that park" such as veterans' groups would have to be added to the hearing process to be notified.

Regarding the actual use of the Sapper Park, Mercer shot back just before the vote to refer: "I don't see the cenotaph used daily either."

Mercer underlined he was not looking to create "a make-work project for staff" with the ask to involve veterans but "it's kind of a sacred property."

Council voted in favour of the referral in the end.