Pubdate: Sun, 24 Apr 2016
Source: Bulletin, The (Bend, OR)
Copyright: 2016 Western Communications Inc.
Contact:  http://www.bendbulletin.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/62
Author: Ted Shorack, The Bulleti n

LA PINE WEIGHS ALLOWING INDOOR POT GROWING AT INDUSTRIAL PARK

Growers Have Inquired About Putting In Structures For Raising
Marijuana At The Park

The city of La Pine is attempting to refine its zoning ordinance to
allow for indoor agriculture on industrial land in anticipation of
marijuana being grown there.

The La Pine Planning Commission will be holding a public hearing
Tuesday at City Hall to consider a text amendment that would allow
indoor agriculture within the city's industrial zone.

The zoning ordinance change would also require growing to be done
inside a permitted building instead of in a trailer or "hoop house," a
structure with metal or plastic hoops covered by plastic.

The La Pine Industrial Park is the only part of the city zoned for
industrial use. The park is about 300 acres, and about half of the
land is either already owned or occupied for an industrial use.

Interim City Manager Rick Allen said Friday the city has fielded
questions about growing marijuana at the industrial park. Some growers
have inquired about using a shipping container or doublewide trailer
on a plot of land at the park to grow pot.

"We felt we had enough requests and questions about this that we
decided to go ahead and define it," Allen said about the type of
structures that would be allowed for indoor agriculture.

The industrial park is owned by Deschutes County, but the city manages
the sale and lease of land.

"We don't want trailers and shipping containers," Allen said. "We want
to make sure whatever is built meets certain standards."

If the ordinance is adopted, indoor agriculture would be allowed as a
conditional use in the industrial park, which can be permitted with
requirements attached.

The La Pine City Council on April 13 voted in favor of banning
recreational marijuana retail shops. The ban will be referred to city
voters in November to either uphold or reject. The city also referred
a potential tax on recreational pot sales to voters should the ban
fail.

The ban only applies to recreational marijuana being sold. Growers,
processors and wholesalers within the city would not be affected.

On May 4, Deschutes County commissioners will be evaluating a ban on
marijuana businesses. The ban applies only to unincorporated areas. If
county commissioners choose to keep the ban in place, voters
countywide would have an opportunity in November to overturn or keep
it.
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MAP posted-by: Jo-D