Title
Agenda Item:
Public Hearing Relating to the Moratorium on Medical Marijuana Collective Gardens and Marijuana-Associated Land Uses
Body
Issue:
On May 7, 2013 Council approved a temporary moratorium on permitting of marijuana uses and the establishment of marijuana-associated land uses in order to develop a work plan to identify community impacts and review regulatory practices. This Public Hearing was scheduled at the time of adoption of the moratorium to gather public input. The current length of time for the moratorium is 365 days from the date of Council approval.
City Manager’s Recommendation:
Conduct a Public Hearing on the moratorium on medical marijuana collective gardens and marijuana-associated land uses, and provide guidance on the next steps regarding the moratorium.
Staff Contact:
Chris Grabowski, Code Enforcement Officer, Community Planning & Development, 360.753.8168
Presenter(s):
Steve Hall, City Manager
Chris Grabowski, Code Enforcement Officer, Community Planning & Development
Tom Morrill, City Attorney
Background and Analysis:
See Attachment 1 for additional information.
Less than two years after the Medical Cannabis Act came into effect, there may be as many as eight and possibly more collective gardens within the city limits. These gardens are concentrated in downtown and are commonly referred to as medical marijuana dispensaries.
Potential impacts associated with medical marijuana, collective gardens and other marijuana-related land uses include but are not limited to:
· Criminal issues such as burglaries of medical marijuana facilities, theft, property damage, and home invasions
· Degrading neighborhood aesthetics due to shuttered-up properties, increased night-time traffic, loitering from potential purchasers looking to buy from a collective member, and parking issues
· Serious risk of fire hazard due to overloaded service connections used to operate grow lights and fans
· Conversion of retail/residential uses into marijuan...
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