Title
SUBJECT: Continued Second Reading and Final Adoption of an Ordinance to Amend Merced Municipal Code Section 20.44.170, “Regulation of Commercial Cannabis Activities - Commercial Cannabis Business Permit Required” of the Merced Municipal Code to Allow City Council Consideration of Alternative Sites for Retail Cannabis Business Applications under Appeal, and Include a Local Ownership Element for Cannabis Retail Permits Issued after November 3, 2021
REPORT IN BRIEF
Continued second reading and final adoption of an Ordinance to amend Merced Municipal Code Section 20.44.170, “Regulation of Commercial Cannabis Activities - Commercial Cannabis Business Permit Required” of the Merced Municipal Code to Allow City Council Consideration of Alternative Sites for Retail Cannabis Business Applications under Appeal and Include a Local Ownership Element for Cannabis Retail Permits Issued after November 3, 2021.
RECOMMENDATION
City Council - Adopt a motion adopting Ordinance 2550, an Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Merced, California, amending section 20.44.170 “Regulation of Commercial Cannabis Activities - Commercial Cannabis Business Permit Required,” of the Merced Municipal Code to allow City Council consideration of alternative sites for retail cannabis business applications under appeal, and include a local ownership element for cannabis retail permits issued after November 3, 2021.
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ALTERNATIVES
1. Approve, as recommended by the staff; or,
2. Approve subject to modifications as conditioned by City Council (to be specific in the motion); or,
3. Deny; or,
4. Refer back to staff for reconsideration of specific items (to be addressed in the motion); or,
5. Continue to a future meeting (date and time to be specified in the motion).
AUTHORITY
Chapter 20.80 of the Merced Municipal Code spells out procedures for amending the Zoning Ordinance.
CITY COUNCIL PRIORITIES
None.
DISCUSSION
Ordinance 2550 was introduced at a noticed Public Hearing on July 17, 2023. Council made revisions to the proposed Ordinance to allow five commercial cannabis business permits with a 4-3 vote and adding a new section allowing Council consideration of alternative sites for retail cannabis business applications under appeal and include local ownership requirements for cannabis retail permits issued after November 3, 2021 with a unanimous vote. The second reading was held at the August 7, 2023 City Council meeting, but due to an error the revised Ordinance was not attached for Council consideration and Council voted to continue the item to the August 21, 2023 City Council meeting to allow for proper notice per the Brown Act.
IMPACT ON CITY RESOURCES
There are no impacts on City resources with this request.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Ordinance 2550