Report Prepared by: Scott McBride, City Manager
Title
SUBJECT: Review and Discuss Potential Updates to Chapter 20.144.170 Regulations of Commercial Cannabis Activities - Commercial Cannabis Business Permits Update
REPORT IN BRIEF
Review and discuss potential updates to Chapter 20.44.170 Regulation of Commercial Cannabis Activities - Commercial Cannabis Business Permit Required including consideration of cannabis consumption lounges, modifications to permitting process for non-retail cannabis business permits, establishing a process to allow for scoring changes in the event of an error, clarify timing for the established Cannabis Business Application List based on final determination of an appeal, and other amendments creating a separate chapter within the Zoning Code for Cannabis.
RECOMMENDATION
Review and provide Staff direction on revisions and/or next steps.
Body
CITY COUNCIL PRIORITIES
The City Council previously discussed updates to Chapter 20.144.170 and adopted Ordinance 2550. There were additional items the council wished to discuss which are included in this report.
DISCUSSION
The City Council has actively worked to modify the City's Zoning Ordinance, Chapter 20.44.170 Regulation of Commercial Cannabis Activities - Commercial Cannabis Business Permits so that they closely follow emerging market trends or address local issues.
In March 2023 the City Council considered several topics for potential policy modifications. Those included potentially increasing the number of retail permits, modifications during an appeal process to consider alternative sites, and updates to local ownership requirements. There was also interest in future later phase updates to be considered separately.
In July 2023 the City Council held a public hearing regarding modifications to increase the number of retail permits offered. Following the public hearing and significant public discourse when considering Ordinance 2550 the council decided to not increase the numb...
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