Planning committe to weigh recovery facility, taxi overhaul, cannabis cap

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The plan envisions a facility offering medical supervision, counselling and structured recovery programming for individuals impacted by addiction and involvement in the criminal justice system.

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Capital costs are estimated between $1 million and $2 million, with annual operating expenses projected at $2 million to $2.7 million. The project would be carried out in phases, including approvals, site acquisition and renovations, roughly over a year.

Vehicle-for-hire bylaw

The committee will also review a draft vehicle-for-hire bylaw that would replace the city’s current regulations, which officials say no longer reflect provincial legislation or modern service models and have posed challenges for enforcement.

The proposed bylaw would apply to taxis, limousines and app-based dispatch services operating within the city, setting new licensing standards for businesses, vehicles and drivers. 

It introduces measures such as mandatory safety inspections, security cameras and emergency contact systems intended to improve accountability across the industry.

Administration said the changes are designed to “provide safe paid transportation services to the public through the City providing appropriate regulation of this industry.”

Under the draft, taxi companies would be required to operate 24 hours a day and meet minimum fleet and staffing levels, while drivers would need to obtain a city-issued licence supported by background checks and driving records.

The bylaw also includes requirements for upfront deposits on trips within the city and full prepayment for trips outside city limits, along with defined conditions under which drivers may refuse service.

The draft is being presented for council feedback before it is shared with the public and local operators for consultation, with a final version to return to council at a later date.

Cannabis store cap 

A separate report will outline options for cannabis retail regulations after council requested a review earlier this year on whether to limit the number of stores in North Battleford, following a letter from the Rockshop, a local cannabis retailer, calling for a cap.

The city currently regulates cannabis retailers through zoning rules, including a minimum separation distance of 225 metres from schools, parks, libraries and recreation centres. A comparison with other municipalities found most do not impose caps on the number of stores.

Administration warns that introducing a cap would mark a shift in policy, stating that limiting businesses “is not congruent with the City’s Strategic Plan, which encourages both residential and business growth.”

The planning committee is expected to review the proposals and provide direction to administration, with final decisions to come at a later council meeting.

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cjnbnews@pattisonmedia.com