Report Prepared by: Michael Hren, Principal Planner, Development Services Department
Title
SUBJECT: Second Reading and Adoption of Ordinance 2498 to Amend Section 20.44.170, "Regulation of Commercial Cannabis Activities - Commercial Cannabis Business Permit Required"
REPORT IN BRIEF
Adoption of previously introduced Ordinance to amend section 20.44.170, "Regulation of Commercial Cannabis Activities - Commercial Cannabis Business Permit Required" of the Merced Municipal Code.
RECOMMENDATION
City Council - Adopt a motion approving Ordinance 2498, 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.
Body
ALTERNATIVES
1. Approve the Ordinance, as recommended by Planning Commission and staff; or,
2. Deny; or,
3. Refer to staff for reconsideration of specific items (to be addressed in the motion); or,
4. Continue to a future City Council meeting (date and time to be specified in the motion).
AUTHORITY
Merced Municipal Code Section 20.80, "Zoning Ordinance Amendments" spell out procedures for amending the Zoning Ordinance.
CITY COUNCIL PRIORITIES
Not applicable.
DISCUSSION
The City of Merced's regulations regarding commercial cannabis businesses have been in effect since January 3, 2018. In order to ensure that the City's process continues to function in an effective and timely fashion, amendments to the language are proposed. These amendments are based on a number of factors, including observation of the process since the initial implementation of the City of Merced's cannabis business application process and best practices learned from contact with other communities and professionals in the cannabis industry. At the City Council meeting on February 19, 2019, the Council recommended the modification of the definition of 'school' to require the use to be the primary use of the site ...
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