Pubdate: Mon, 21 Jun 2010
Source: Aurora Sentinel (CO)
Copyright: 2010 Aurora Sentinel
Contact:  http://www.aurorasentinel.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1672
Author: Sara Castellanos

CITY COUNCIL EXTENDS BAN ON MEDICAL-POT SHOPS; GETS AN  EARFUL ON
RESIDENTS WHO WANT TO PREVENT AN EYEFUL

AURORA | Aurora's current moratorium on medical  marijuana
dispensaries will be extended through July  2011, Aurora City Council
members decided at a meeting  Monday.

Councilwoman Molly Markert voted against the moratorium  extension,
and Councilman Bob Broom was absent.

The moratorium that was originally implemented in  December 2009 is
set to expire this month. If voters  decide not to outright ban
medical marijuana  dispensaries in an upcoming election, the
moratorium  would continue until July 1, 2011 or until zoning rules
and regulations are put in place.

Gov. Bill Ritter signed legislation earlier this month  that allows
cities to either ban dispensaries at city  councils' discretion, or
ask voters whether they want  to ban dispensaries within their city
limits.

Council members have discussed the possibility of  asking voters
whether they want to ban dispensaries in  the city through a November
ballot item.

Also at the city council meeting, three Aurora  residents spoke out
against the racy business tactics  of Perky Cups, the local coffee
shop that features  bikini-clad baristas, whose owner was recently
evicted  for not paying rent and violating terms of his lease.

They asked city council members to enact an ordinance  that regulates
business tactics that include  bikini-clad employees walking around
outside of the  shop advertising the business.

"I am asking that you regulate 'sex sells' gimmicks of  such shops so
that these types of businesses are  limited to the interior space that
they have leased or  purchased," said Aurora resident Estelle Matus.
"The  goal is to ensure that future potential actions be kept  in
check. I think we should be particularly vigilant in  preventing the
location of these establishments close  to child care centers, schools
and businesses that have  children as clientele."

Perky Cups' owner Jason Bernal is advertising for a new  location of
Perky Cups that could open near the  intersection of South Chambers
Road and East Hampden  Avenue. Matus said there were two child care
centers  located in that area as well.

At a regularly scheduled study session before the vote,  council
members said they would not go forward with a  proposal to ask voters
this November whether they want  to extend a property tax set to
expire in 2015. A  decision to extend the property tax would have had
to  be made by July 12 for it to be on the ballot, and the  current
economic climate would not be conducive to  extending property taxes,
said council members.

Voters could still be asked whether they want to  approve a tax
extension next year or in 2012.

The property tax in question is $28 per year for an  average home
costing $175,000.

If the extension is approved, the money generated could  be used for
capital projects, or to help the city's  budget shortfall, or both,
said John Gross, the city's  finance director.

Councilwoman Renie Peterson said she would like to see  a property tax
extension item on the ballot possibly  next year, and use the money
generated for road  improvements such as widening East Sixth Avenue. 
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MAP posted-by: Jo-D