Pubdate: Fri, 20 May 2016
Source: Bulletin, The (Bend, OR)
Copyright: 2016 Western Communications Inc.
Contact:  http://www.bendbulletin.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/62

BEND MAKES SMART ZONING CHANGES

Bend city councilors decided Wednesday to expand the options for
marijuana processors in the city of Bend even as they highlighted a
problem with city zoning that the community development department
hopes to correct this fall.

Most of what the council did will bring city code into line with
changes in marijuana law passed by the 2016 Legislature. Thus the code
no longer defines recreational and medical marijuana separately,
either for retail or manufacturing purposes.

Councilors also agreed to allow marijuana processing in what are known
as mixed employment districts, areas where a variety of businesses and
some residential buildings are allowed.

One such area is the Makers District, located between the Parkway and
Third Street from Greenwood Avenue north to Olney Avenue. Small
restaurants, housing, retail and some manufacturing are allowed within
the district.

Unfortunately most of the land within the district is zoned for
industrial use, and that's led to confusion among would-be marijuana
producers and others who believed their industries would be a good
fit, only to discover they wouldn't be allowed to locate there without
special permission. The council's action will assure that marijuana
processors will be able to do business within the zone.

Something else came out of the proposed code change, and that, too, is
good for the city.

Currently there are conflicts like the one involving marijuana
processing and the Makers District, where the city's General Plan says
land may be used for one thing and city zoning law says something
else. While some of those conflicts will disappear when the city's
expansion of its urban growth boundary is completed, others will not
without specific action by city staff and the City Council.

The city plans to take that action this year, probably in the fall,
says Colin Stephens, planning manager.

That's good. Establishing a new business or moving an old one can be
expensive and time consuming. Beginning the process only to discover
city zoning and city planning documents are in conflict only makes
matters worse.
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MAP posted-by: Jo-D