Pubdate: Tue, 18 Dec 2007
Source: Eureka Reporter, The (CA)
Copyright: 2007 The Eureka Reporter
Contact:  http://www.eurekareporter.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3289
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?115 (Cannabis - California)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmj.htm (Cannabis - Medicinal)

CITY COUNCIL TO REVISIT POT GROW HOUSES AND CLINICS ISSUE

The Issue Of Regulating Marijuana Grow Houses And Clinics Returns To 
The Arcata City Council Tonight.

City staff is requesting the council provide direction in preparing 
draft standards for personal marijuana growing in residential zones 
based on Senate Bill 420 guidelines and one Proposition 215 
recommendation per residence, according to a staff report.

Once standards are established, staff is recommending they be 
incorporated into the draft land-use code through a public hearing 
process before the Planning Commission and then taken to the City 
Council for adoption.

Additionally, the council will consider establishing a medical 
marijuana working group or task force for regulating medical marijuana clinics.

At its Oct. 17 meeting, the council directed city staff to establish 
a working group to make recommendations to the Planning Commission 
and City Council on land-use standards necessary to regulate the 
location, scale and operations of medical marijuana grows as 
accessory use in residential zones and clinics in the general 
commercial and central business district, according to the staff report.

Council members suggested the process be approached much like 
Humboldt County's medical marijuana task force.

Staff found that this would require an ordinance, though the City 
Council has not prepared a draft ordinance for review.

Additionally, funding will be required for a working group or task 
force, which will involve additional budgeting and long hours on 
behalf of the committee.

The topic of regulating grow houses and clinics received extensive 
public comment in previous City Council meetings.

During those meetings, the council reached a consensus on a number of 
issues, including a need for regulation through the land-use 
development guide or land-use code and agreement that personal 
medical marijuana grows in residential zones be allowed only as an 
accessory use -- limited to one grow in any residence and with 
specific standards.

Additionally, the council confirmed that the commercial and central 
business district zones are the appropriate land-use designations for 
medical marijuana clinics, without specifying a cap on the number of 
clinics allowed per district.

The council also decided it would like to establish citing criteria 
for clinics to buffer schools and playgrounds.

What the council has not decided, however, is what should constitute 
accessory residential use for personal marijuana grows.

Other issues the council will be focusing on include determining if 
any additional regulation of clinics and cooperatives will be needed 
and what adequate buffers should be in place.

In other business, the council will hold a public hearing to consider 
adopting a resolution authorizing the submittal of up to a $500,000 
CDBG economic enterprise grant to capitalize the city's business loan 
fund to create jobs.

The council will also be appointing a member to the Open Space and 
Agriculture Committee for a term expiring in April 2009, as well as 
hear an update on Humboldt State University easements, or 
jurisdiction of property, and an update on a State Transportation 
Improvement Plan project application.

The Arcata City Council will meet at 6 p.m. in the Council Chamber at 
City Hall.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom