Katelyn Baker
Well-Known Member
The Cañon City Council on Monday approved the formation of a marijuana cultivation regulation committee, consisting of representatives of the council and planning commission, residents, businesses, staff and marijuana industry representatives.
City Administrator Tony O'Rourke said the committee will look at zoning regulations, specifically special use regulations, to permit the cultivation of marijuana in either commercial or industrial zones.
"The purpose is to protect the public's health, safety and welfare by trying to solicit residential grows into the more secure environment," he said. "As you know, where there usually has been problems with a grow largely has been single-family homes, particularly with fires, noxious odors and contaminations - this would go a long way to address those problems."
O'Rourke said Cañon City resident Alison Helsley, owner of "Rooms to Grow" that leases space to grow marijuana near the Dawson Ranch neighborhood, has committed to the city to curtail her operations in the interest of working with the committee toward making her business compliant under city zoning ordinances.
Proposed regulations will address appropriate land use classification, odor control, security, electrical/lighting plans, waste disposal, building and fire code requirements, plumbing plans, criminal background checks, no juvenile employees or patrons, hours of operation, inspection requirements, application process and fees, distance from school, day care and parks, inventory and maintenance of business transactions and emergency contacts.
"We believe because the states of Colorado, Oregon, Washington and California have well-established regulations, coupled with many communities in those four states, we're not starting from ground zero, we're not reinventing the wheel," O'Rourke said. "We think we could probably, through a very clear and transparent process, arrive at a recommendation for the planning commission's consideration and the council's consideration within a six- to seven-week period."
The committee likely would meet once a week during those weeks.
Councilman Jim Meisner questions how the difference between a commercial grow and Helsley's operation will be distinguished.
"To support a zoning change that would allow commercial grows, I've got to have a better understanding of what the voters did not want," he said.
Cañon City voters in 2014 turned down a measure that would have made it legal to operate retail marijuana establishments, including retail marijuana cultivation facilities, marijuana product manufacturing facilities, testing facilities and marijuana stores. The measure was defeated by a vote of 61 percent against and 40 percent in favor.
"This is not promoting the sale of marijuana, purely the cultivation " O'Rourke said. "In the absence of people growing it in their homes, in theory, this should be a safer, more neutral environment for cultivation."
Councilman Mark Gill said he feels citizens overall, if put to a vote, would not approve commercial growth of marijuana within city limits.
The council will bring their recommendations for committee members to the Aug. 15 regular meeting to be considered for appointment.
Also during the meeting, City Clerk Cathy Rabe said there still is a vacancy on the Board of Adjustment that is scheduled to meet once a month. Those interested may call City Hall at 269-9011.
In other business, the council took the following action:
- Authorized an extension for funding with Fremont Center for the Arts in the amount not to exceed $1,800 per month, not to exceed an additional three months.
- Made an appointment and re-appointments for Greg Carlson, Austin Dunderman, Brian LeDoux and Gerry Meloni to the Planning Commission.
- Deferred authorization for the administrator's signature on a professional services agreement for $569,602 for the Northeast Cañon Detention Basins Design project for the Aug. 15 meeting.
- Approved an application for a Special Event Liquor Permit for Fremont Adventure Recreation's Bikes & Brews event, which will be Sept. 24 at Cara Fisher Square.
News Moderator: Katelyn Baker 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Cañon City Council OKs Pot Committee
Author: Carie Canterbury
Contact: (719) 275-7565
Photo Credit: Carie Canterbury
Website: Daily Record
City Administrator Tony O'Rourke said the committee will look at zoning regulations, specifically special use regulations, to permit the cultivation of marijuana in either commercial or industrial zones.
"The purpose is to protect the public's health, safety and welfare by trying to solicit residential grows into the more secure environment," he said. "As you know, where there usually has been problems with a grow largely has been single-family homes, particularly with fires, noxious odors and contaminations - this would go a long way to address those problems."
O'Rourke said Cañon City resident Alison Helsley, owner of "Rooms to Grow" that leases space to grow marijuana near the Dawson Ranch neighborhood, has committed to the city to curtail her operations in the interest of working with the committee toward making her business compliant under city zoning ordinances.
Proposed regulations will address appropriate land use classification, odor control, security, electrical/lighting plans, waste disposal, building and fire code requirements, plumbing plans, criminal background checks, no juvenile employees or patrons, hours of operation, inspection requirements, application process and fees, distance from school, day care and parks, inventory and maintenance of business transactions and emergency contacts.
"We believe because the states of Colorado, Oregon, Washington and California have well-established regulations, coupled with many communities in those four states, we're not starting from ground zero, we're not reinventing the wheel," O'Rourke said. "We think we could probably, through a very clear and transparent process, arrive at a recommendation for the planning commission's consideration and the council's consideration within a six- to seven-week period."
The committee likely would meet once a week during those weeks.
Councilman Jim Meisner questions how the difference between a commercial grow and Helsley's operation will be distinguished.
"To support a zoning change that would allow commercial grows, I've got to have a better understanding of what the voters did not want," he said.
Cañon City voters in 2014 turned down a measure that would have made it legal to operate retail marijuana establishments, including retail marijuana cultivation facilities, marijuana product manufacturing facilities, testing facilities and marijuana stores. The measure was defeated by a vote of 61 percent against and 40 percent in favor.
"This is not promoting the sale of marijuana, purely the cultivation " O'Rourke said. "In the absence of people growing it in their homes, in theory, this should be a safer, more neutral environment for cultivation."
Councilman Mark Gill said he feels citizens overall, if put to a vote, would not approve commercial growth of marijuana within city limits.
The council will bring their recommendations for committee members to the Aug. 15 regular meeting to be considered for appointment.
Also during the meeting, City Clerk Cathy Rabe said there still is a vacancy on the Board of Adjustment that is scheduled to meet once a month. Those interested may call City Hall at 269-9011.
In other business, the council took the following action:
- Authorized an extension for funding with Fremont Center for the Arts in the amount not to exceed $1,800 per month, not to exceed an additional three months.
- Made an appointment and re-appointments for Greg Carlson, Austin Dunderman, Brian LeDoux and Gerry Meloni to the Planning Commission.
- Deferred authorization for the administrator's signature on a professional services agreement for $569,602 for the Northeast Cañon Detention Basins Design project for the Aug. 15 meeting.
- Approved an application for a Special Event Liquor Permit for Fremont Adventure Recreation's Bikes & Brews event, which will be Sept. 24 at Cara Fisher Square.
News Moderator: Katelyn Baker 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Cañon City Council OKs Pot Committee
Author: Carie Canterbury
Contact: (719) 275-7565
Photo Credit: Carie Canterbury
Website: Daily Record
