Pubdate: Sat, 13 Dec 2008
Source: Desert Sun, The (Palm Springs, CA)
Copyright: 2008 The Desert Sun
Contact: http://local2.thedesertsun.com/mailer/opinionwrap.php
Website: http://www.mydesert.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1112
Note: Does not accept LTEs from outside circulation area.
Author: Marcel Honore, The Desert Sun
Cited: Desert Hot Springs Planning Commission 
http://www.desert-hot-springs.us/Planning_Commission
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/topic/dispensaries
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmj.htm (Marijuana - Medicinal)

DESERT HOT SPRINGS MEDICAL MARIJUANA PLANS UP IN SMOKE

The Desert Hot Springs Planning Commission weighed in this week on 
two key issues affecting the city's future: medical marijuana and its 
art-in-public places program.

The commission voted 3-2 on Tuesday to recommend banning medical 
marijuana dispensaries. The commission had tied 2-2 on the issue at a 
previous meeting, one that Chairman John Gerardi had been unable to attend.

The commission also voted 3-1-1 to recommend a new fee structure for 
the city's proposed art-in-public-places program. Commissioner John 
Aguilar dissented, and commissioner Ron Stewart abstained.

The commission recommended a fee of 0.5 percent on the value of new 
residential projects, and 0.75 percent on the value of new commercial 
projects, according to a city release.

The City Council had asked the commission to revisit the art fees 
with more information on other valley cities' art programs.

That fee structure is projected to create more than $33 million in 
funding for new art in the city over the next 20-25 years, the release stated.

However, Fred Bell, director of the Building Industry Association's 
desert chapter, called that projection low and said Thursday the city 
staff is "under-forecasting revenues."

Bell said the fee structure would generate closer to $42 million for city art.

Bell and city officials have wrangled in recent weeks over the art in 
public places fee proposal as well as proposed developer impact fee hikes. 
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake