City administration is bringing forward more amendments to the zoning bylaw that will establish the ground rules for locating retail outlets for cannabis.

The amendments will come forward for second and final reading at next Monday’s council meeting.

Council is also proceeding with amendments to its business licence bylaw that will also be used to govern cannabis outlets, like setting out the allowable hours of operation and so forth.

Administration is suggesting a definition be added in the zoning amendment to clarify what is meant by playgrounds with play structures.

It’s proposed that no retail outlets be allowed within 100 metres of a playground with playground equipment.

As well, it is suggesting the bylaw clarify when 100-metre buffers between retail outlets come into effect. The proposal is to establish the buffer as soon as a development permit is entered into with a private retailer.

It’s also suggesting a list and map of areas requiring buffers be included in the bylaw.

City planning manager Mélodie Simard presented the amendments at council’s meeting Monday night, along with a summary of the public hearing held March 25.

The city’s approach currently is to restrict cannabis stores to the downtown and Marwell areas. The Yukon government’s store is located in Marwell.

As it was noted Monday night by Simard, buffers that are too restrictive, such as requiring a 100-metre buffer from all residential properties and bus stops, could make it difficult to provide retail locations downtown.

There was concern raised again Monday night by members of council over permitting a planned retail outlet within 100 metres of Lepage Park at the corner of Wood Street and Third Avenue.

It is a park, and a play area for kids, even though it has no playground equipment, it was said.

On the other hand, having a retail outlet in the neighbourhood might be a good thing, said Mayor Dan Curtis.

Ever since he’s been mayor, long before the legalization of cannabis, he said, he’s continually heard of concerns about unsavoury activity at Lepage Park at all times of the day.

Having a retail outlet in the area would bring more public traffic, would bring vibrancy and more activity – and more activity means more people to watch over things, he suggested.

Curtis said the retail outlet would bring more security cameras, and security staff.

There was concern that allowing retail outlets in what is commonly referred to as the Old Town of downtown would upset the neighbour dynamics.

Simard said most of the Old Town, with some exceptions along Fifth Avenue, is excluded from the proposal.

Most of the locations identified are located between Fourth Avenue and the Yukon River, she told council.

Potential cannabis retailers are waiting for the city to complete the necessary amendments to it bylaws that will allow them to go forward.

The city does not have a firm deadline to finish the work.

Triple J’s in one of the businesses waiting in the wings, planning to open its shop across the street from LePage Park.