State of the Economy and Cannabis Retail Stores

August 2018

This Month's Issue:
Sign Regulations and Cannabis Retail

Sign Regulations in St. Albert

The City of St. Albert's Land Use Bylaw includes a section - "Schedule C" - that regulates where signs can be displayed, how they can be displayed, and their size. In April 2017 and June 2018, after consultation through public participation, City Council made changes to Land Use Bylaw 9/2005 Schedule C - Sign Regulations.

In April 2017, Council voted to allow digital display signs including billboards, freestanding signs, and fascia signs in approved CC or CIS districts. Below are a few of the regulations for signs with digital displays:

- Digital displays are prohibited on a parcel adjacent to Ray Gibbon Drive when the copy of the sign is visible from Ray Gibbon Drive.

- A sign with a digital display located on, or attached to, a roof of a building is prohibited

- No third-party advertising is permitted on a fascia sign with a digital display

- Displays must not physically obstruct the sightlines or view of a traffic control device or traffic control signal for oncoming vehicular traffic

- Copy shall be static and remain in place for a minimum of six (6) seconds before switching to the next copy

Visit our Signs with Digital Displays website page for more information.

In June 2018, Council voted to allow unlimited portable signs in neighbourhood commercial areas as long as they follow other sign regulations that require a 30-metre spacing between each sign.

Here are some of the key guidelines and requirements for putting up a sign in St. Albert:

General Regulations:

- The person/business who places the sign must obtain a permit approving the placing of the sign;

- Signs cannot contain an intermittent or flashing light source (i.e., no motion picture projections, animations or flashing signs);

- Signs cannot be displayed on or within trailers or motor vehicles (with the exception of motor vehicle signs that advertise the sale of the vehicle or the business the vehicle is being used for).

Location Requirements:

- No sign can be placed in a location where it could be confused with or detract from a traffic control device or any other municipal sign/device;

- No sign can be placed in a location where it could interfere with the safe movement of vehicles or pedestrians;

- Signs cannot be placed within 5 metres of a fire hydrant or other emergency use equipment;

- Signs cannot be placed on a road or median;

- Signs cannot be placed within 30.5 metres of any intersection on City property;

- Signs cannot be placed on public property except for garage sale signs, open house signs or election signs;

- A self-supported sign must be at least 3 metres away from another sign, regardless of its type

Display Requirements

- Wiring and conduits for electrified signs must be concealed from view;

- Signs with a digital display are only permitted on a billboard, fascia sign, or freestanding sign;

- Signs with a digital display must be equipped with an ambient light sensor that automatically adjusts brightness levels based on ambient light conditions;

The Land Use Bylaw's sign regulations also contain specific guidelines for different types of signs, such as: A-board signs, awning/canopy signs, balloon signs, banner signs, billboards, developer marketing signs, fascia signs, "entry-feature" signs, projection signs and roof signs.

For more details about the rules for specific signs or how to apply for a sign permit, please visit the City's webpage on sign regulations ( https://stalbert.ca/dev/planning/applications/sign-regulations/), or contact the Department of Planning & Development at 780-459-1642.

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In This Issue

Sign Regulations in St. Albert

Opening a Cannabis Retail Store in St. Albert

Small Business Week - Awards of Distinction Nomincations

Business Spotlight On...Black Rifle Coffee Company

New Businesses in St. Albert

Monthly Growth Stats

Join the Conversation!

Upcoming Events

Cannabis 101

September 5

State of the City Address

September 19

Opening a Cannabis Retail Store in St. Albert

by Monty Killoh ( [email protected] )

With cannabis set to be legalized this October, St. Albert has already begun the licensing and regulatory process for the new industry. The following is a summary of that process and what is required to legally open a cannabis retail store in St. Albert.

1. Provincial Retail Cannabis Licence Application - Alberta Gaming & Liquor Commission (AGLC)

Operating a cannabis retail store requires a provincial licence and compliance with all rules, requirements and regulations set by the AGLC.

On March 6th 2018, the AGLC began accepting such applications for retail cannabis store licences. In addition to paying a fee of $400.00, a due diligence deposit of $3,000.00 and a $700.00 yearly licensing fee, applicants must undergo background checks, interviews and a financial analysis.

The next step is to obtain "Municipal Approval" for their chosen location(s), which is a municipal development permit and business licence.

2. Municipal Approval - City of St. Albert

Development Permit

St. Albert began accepting development permit applications for cannabis retail stores on August 15th. Applications must include authorization from the property owner, a floor plan of the proposed location, a letter of intent that describes the business, and payment for the $419.28 application fee.

A development officer reviews all documents, then ensures the location complies with zoning requirements in the Land Use Bylaw (e.g., ensuring the location is not within 150 metres of a school). If the location is in a "permitted use" district and finishes this review, the permit is issued. If the location is in a "discretionary use" district, the development officer can either approve or refuse the application at their discretion. Reviews are finished within 20 calendar days.

For discretionary use permits that are approved, a notice of the approval is mailed to each property owner within 30 meters of the site. Neighbors or affected parties have 21 days to appeal (the applicant can also appeal if a development officer refuses their permit); all appeals are reviewed by the Subdivision Development and Appeal Board (SDAB). If there is no appeal after the 21 days - or if SDAB approves an appealed permit - the permit is issued.

Business Licence

Once an applicant receives their development permit, they can apply for a business licence. The fee for a cannabis retail store business licence is $854.76, however for 2018 a pro-rated discount of 50% will be applied as the licence will only be valid until December 31st. The business licence - if issued before October 17th - will include conditions that the store is not permitted to sell cannabis until on or after October 17th.

3. AGLC Approval & Licence

Once an applicant receives their permit and business licence, they have received municipal approval from the City of St. Albert and can finish their provincial licence application. If this occurs before October 17th, AGLC will issue a provisional licence that will allow stores to begin placing orders, setting up point of sales systems, arrange for inspections, etc.

Once the date of legalization has arrived, stores that have obtained their final AGLC approval/licence will be permitted to begin the retail sale of cannabis. For more information about cannabis in St. Albert, please visit http://stalbert.ca/cannabis.

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Small Business Week - Awards of Distinction Nominations
by Nicole Pearson ( [email protected])

Small Business Week is a national celebration of Canadian entrepreneurs and their contribution to Canada's economy. In 1979, the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) business centres in Fraser Valley pooled their resources to organize a week of activities for entrepreneurs. Two years later, BDC decided to launch BDC Small Business Week across Canada. The initiative was quickly adopted by Canada's business community and has been celebrated every year since during the third full week of October. Events held during the week bring together entrepreneurs and small businesses at conferences, workshops, luncheons and awards ceremonies. The goal is to provide them with opportunities to learn, network, share ideas and socialize with their peers. This year's celebration is from October 14-20, 2018.

The St. Albert and District Chamber of Commerce organizes this national week locally to recognize small business success and its important contributions to our community. The week kicks off at their Business@Lunch event, taking place the Wednesday leading up to the week (October 10). Throughout the week there are breakfasts, lunches, and after hour events featuring speakers who have taken their small business to the next level. The week of activities culminates with an Awards of Distinction ceremony to honor and recognize the contributions and achievements of the businesses in our community.

The St. Albert and District Chamber of Commerce is currently accepting nominations for the Small Business Week Awards of Distinction. The nomination deadline is September 7 and award categories include:

Small Business Award
Young Entrepreneur Award
Business to Business Award
Ignite Award
Marketing Award
Outstanding Customer Service Award
Community Leadership Award
Community Stewardship Award

If you know a business that deserves this award for their outstanding work, nominate them here.

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Business Spotlight On... Black Rifle Coffee Company

by Nicole Pearson ( [email protected] )

Black Rifle Coffee Company opened its doors in St. Albert's Campbell Business Park in May. Initially started as an online business in October 2017, Black Rifle Coffee offers premium, roast-to-order coffee. The company also sells clothing, mugs and other knick-knacks.

The business is a sister company to the American Black Rifle Coffee Company, which was founded by a veteran. Most coffee roasts are army themed, featuring names such as Gunship Coffee Roast, AK-47 Espresso Blend and Silencer Smooth Coffee Blend, to name a few. The company also has a coffee called Warrior Heart which was named after and supports the Warrior Heart Foundation. The foundation runs a treatment centre for military, veterans, law enforcement and fire fighters suffering from PTSD.

Darren Weeks oversees the company's Canadian operations. He first tried Black Rifle coffee when he was at a board of director's meeting for the Warrior Heart Foundation in Texas. After tasting the coffee and learning about the company, Darren offered to bring the business to Canada. He already had an office space in Campbell Business Park and added Black Rifle Coffee to the space.

The coffee is now sold online, in their retail space in Campbell Business Park and at over 100 dealers across Canada including coffee shops, gun stores and fitness centres. The company sources their coffee beans from Brazil and Columbia and they are roasted within a couple days of being sold which Darren believes is the key to the fresh taste of their coffee.

Black Rifle Coffee Company believes in supporting veterans and local causes. The company has partnered with the Edmonton-based organization, Little Warriors, to offer a special coffee blend named after the organization. Weeks said since October the business has donated more than $30,000 to the organization to help children who have been sexually abused.

The business is currently open Monday to Friday from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. and one Saturday a month. In September they are looking to expand their weekend hours.

For more information visit

https://www.blackriflecoffee.ca.

Black Rifle Coffee Company
Unit 20, 10 Carleton Drive
St. Albert, AB, T8N 7L2
1-800-583-9958

The Spotlight on Business is a monthly feature wherein we highlight a local business and learn more about what they do and how they positively contribute to the identity and economy of St. Albert. If you, or someone you know, would like to be featured in a future issue, please contact [email protected] with a brief description of the organization.

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