Report Prepared by: Kim Espinosa, Planning Manager, Development Services Department
Title
SUBJECT: Introduction of Ordinance to Amend the Zoning Ordinance to Adopt Regulations for Commercial Cannabis Businesses and Cultivation of Cannabis for Personal Use in the City of Merced
REPORT IN BRIEF
The City Council will hold a public hearing and consider the introduction of an ordinance amending the Zoning Ordinance to adopt regulations for Commercial Cannabis Businesses and cultivation of cannabis for personal use in the City of Merced.
RECOMMENDATION
City Council - Adopt a motion:
Adopting a Categorical Exemption and Introducing Ordinance No. 2480 that would allow commercial cannabis businesses, including dispensaries/retail sales, deliveries, cultivation, manufacturing, distribution, and testing, in various zones of the City and would also adopt regulations regarding the cultivation of cannabis for personal use in residential zones:
"An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Merced, California, Replacing 20.44.170 ("Medical Marijuana and Cultivation"); Amending Section 20.10.020 and Table 20.10-1 ("Commercial Zoning Districts"), and Amending Section 20.12.020 and Table 20.12-1 ("Industrial Zoning Districts") of the Merced Municipal Code; and Adding Land Use Table 20.44-1 to Regulate All Commercial Cannabis Activities and Cultivation for Personal Use in the City of Merced."
The Planning Commission recommended that Land Use Table 20.44-1 be modified to allow cannabis dispensaries/retail sales in the Light Industrial (I-) zone. This is not reflected in the Draft Ordinance at Attachment 15, so if the City Council agrees, that will need to be addressed in the motion.
Body
ALTERNATIVES
1. Introduce the ordinance as recommended by the Planning Commission and City staff; or,
2. Introduce a modified ordinance as revised by the City Council; or,
3. Deny the request; or,
4. Refer back to staff for reconsideration of specific items (specific items to be add...
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