A proximity bylaw intended to prohibit any new pharmacy from opening within 400 metres of an existing one is still on the table, passing second reading during Langley City council’s meeting on July 13.
Comments made during a June meeting, appeared to indicate that the notion of a proximity law had been abandoned. However, that is not the case.
The bylaw is part of a series of amendments related to the dispensing of methadone within City limits.
According to the City, concerns have been raised by the Downtown Langley Business Association and Community Crime Prevention Task Force on the concentration of pharmacies in the downtown core, especially those dispensing methadone.
They say the pharmacies are having an impact on neighbouring businesses by causing an increase in loitering and attracting methadone treatment patients from other communities.
Currently, the zoning bylaw allows pharmacies to operate as retail stores in commercial zones.
There are 13 in the City of Langley, 10 of which are dispensing methadone to 109 patients, and one new pharmacy pending.
If passed, the bylaw will not affect pharmacies already in operation.
Both councillors Dave Hall and Jack Arnold were opposed to the measure, saying the City is interfering with capitalism.
Hall presented a document to council with five arguments against the bylaw, claiming it “casts pharmacies in a negative light and unfairly attributes other concerning activities to them.”
He said a zoning change should not be required as the pharmacies are regulated by the College of Pharmacists and the City’s business licence regulation bylaw.
He also argued that the bylaw “may be both financially regressive and counter productive to the City’s development image,” that it doesn’t address the actual issues of homelessness and drug addiction and that it “obstructs the free market forces that, in a capitalist economy, encourage competition.”
Arnold agreed, saying it is wrong to determine how many pharmacies are allowed to operate, and that a more effective bylaw would target the users of these medications.
“We’re picking on pharmacies for some reason,” he said.
However, other members of council disagreed.
“It’s not picking on pharmacies,” said Councillor Val van den Broek.
“It’s an educated decision.”
There are enough pharmacies already in place to care for the seniors and other members of the community, she said.
“Enough is enough,” said Councillor Rudy Storteboom. “We have enough pharmacies, we don’t need any more.”
The bylaw passed second reading, with Hall and Arnold opposed.
A public hearing is set for Monday, July 27.