Valley Ridge Cannabis Store News
New application, DP2022-07736, &
VRCA's 2019 appeal of DP2018-3342
2022 Development Permit Application for a New Cannabis Store
Following the closure of the Fire and Flower cannabis store in the Plazebo Mall, a new development permit application (DP2022-07736) for another cannabis store at the same location is now in circulation with the City of Calgary Planning Department. The original business owner was Cannabis Cowboys, which was later acquired by Fire & Flower.
With the VRCA's loss of their 2019 appeal, a key, permanent condition was attached to Cannabis Cowboys' original DP, in that the approved permit was temporary, valid for a period of four years from the Sept. 6. 2018 date of approval. Four years on, after being acquired by Fire & Flower, the store closed in September 2022.
Upon becoming aware of DP2022-07736 by an applicant named “Valley Ridge Cannabis”, the VRCRG submitted a letter opposing DP2022-07736 pending the City’s response to several of our questions regarding this new application.
VRCA's 2019 APPEAL
On January 8, 2019, the VRCA presented its appeal against the City of Calgary’s approval of a development permit (DP2018-3342) by the applicant, Cannabis Cowboys, for a cannabis store to the Subdivision and Development Appeal Board (SDAB). The basis for the appeal was the cannabis store's location was within the City of Calgary's 100m separation distance to a school site. The SDAB’s decision was to deny the VRCA's appeal. With this, the City of Calgary issued a temporary, four-year, development permit to Cannabis Cowboys, who may then apply for a building permit when they choose. The location of the new cannabis store will be the former Allure Beauty Salon in the Plazebo Mall: #212, 11245 Valley Ridge Drive NW.
This is a link to the City of Calgary's Cannabis store business guide that describes the City's process for starting a Cannabis Store in Calgary. This site also contains a links to the City's Cannabis Store Location Map, Cannabis Stores FAQ and the City's Cannabis Store Guidelines as well as links to other relevant policy documents.
The SDAB's decision (document below) was to deny the VRCA's appeal thus releasing the City of Calgary's Development Permit to Cannabis Cowboys. On February 4, 2019, the SDAB released its decision document outlining its rationale for denying the VRCA's appeal. The SDAB's key reasons for denial of the VRCA's appeal are shown below, taken from Item #30 on page 7 :
The applicant, Cannabis Cowboys, is a subsidiary of GTEC Holdings Ltd. On Sept. 4, 2019, Cannabis Cowboys announced the sale of certain assets, to Fire & Flower Incorporated, including 8 development permits relating to unlicensed, non-operational retail locations. As part of the sale, GTEC also received a $4 million debt repayment. GTEC retains its 25% equity stake in Cannabis Cowboys with Cannabis Cowboys remains with 16 location development permits.
This a link to the Valley Breeze article from March 2019 summarizing the results of the VRCA's appeal.