Title
Public Hearing on Interim Ordinance Pertaining to Zoning and Buffer Changes for Cannabis Land Uses
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
Not referred to a committee.
City Manager Recommendation:
Hold a public hearing on Interim Zoning Regulations concerning recreational marijuana. The ordinance was previously approved on an emergency basis at Council's December 8, 2015 meeting. Consider a motion to reaffirm the factual findings of the interim ordinance.
Report
Issue:
The City is required to hold a public hearing on proposed Interim Zoning Ordinance expanding recreational cannabis production, processing, and sales.
Staff Contact:
Chris Grabowski, Code Enforcement Officer, CP&D, 360.753.8168
Presenter(s):
Chris Grabowski, Code Enforcement Officer
Background and Analysis:
At its December 8, 2015 meeting, the Olympia City Council adopted emergency interim zoning regulations expanding the allowed zoning for cannabis retail sales from High Density Corridors-4 (HDC-4) and General Commercial Zones, to include High Density Corridors-3 (HDC-3) and Medical Services Zones. It also reduced buffers on all restricted uses from 1,000 feet to 500 feet (with the exception of schools and playgrounds, which remain at the State-mandated 1,000 feet). By adding both HDC-3 and Medical Services Zones and reducing the buffers, an aggregate 427 potential new parcels were gained. State law requires that a public hearing be held within 60 days of the adoption of any emergency zoning regulations.
The Washington State Legislature passed comprehensive legislation (2SSB 5052 &
HB 2136) creating new regulations for the largely unregulated medical cannabis collectives and establishing a system that will be overseen by the Washington State Department of Health. The legislation was signed into law by Governor Jay Inslee on April 24, 2015. The long-standing "collectives" are now much smaller and more tightly regulated "cooperatives" that cannot eas...
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