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Although not on the agenda, the issue of medical marijuana became a hot topic at the Leoni Township Board of Trustee meeting Tuesday.
The issue came to light after a few public comments on the one-year moratorium passed last month on medical marijuana related businesses opening.
Some want to know what is going to happen after the moratorium is lifted and others want to know how "pot shops" got into Leoni without the township board or the residents knowing about it beforehand.
Leoni Township resident Peggy Duynslager gave the board a heads up that she would be circulating a flier in the community regarding the number of medical marijuana-related businesses that have opened.
There are four in the township.
"Did you know that the leadership of Leoni Township has allowed four marijuana shops to open in this small community?" she read from the flier.
"Did you know that the leadership of Leoni Township has let a doctor come in and advise people on how to get a marijuana card and approve of such card at this Patient Choice establishment?"
The moratorium in the township prohibits "the growth, sale, or dispensation of medical marijuana from any clinic, dispensary or other facility that does not already exist."
Leoni Township Supervisor Todd Brittain said the township is looking into restricting the businesses to heavy or light industrial zones.
"So my question to the board of Leoni Township is, 'What were you thinking in allowing all of these pot shops to open so close to schools and churches, or better yet what were you smoking?'" Duynslager asked.
After the meeting, Duynslager said she had no idea there were four medical marijuana businesses in the township. She is not happy that one is within walking distance to a school and a church.
Brittain said that up until the moratorium was passed there were no zoning restrictions set in place. He said he had not heard any complaints from community members about the businesses and admitted that not tackling the zoning issue upfront was a mistake on his part.
Leoni Township Planning Commissioner Paul Overeiner said, as a member of the planning commission, the commission was a little late to the table when it came to zoning restrictions.
"I agree it was perhaps a bit tardy to address this issue," he said.
Most in attendance were surprised to know that the township board is not made aware of new businesses, of any kind, before they open.
Township Treasurer Brenda Vreeland explained that when a new business wants to open in the township, it goes straight to the building inspector to see if it fits into the zoning ordinance. She said previously it would go to the township board for discussion before it was approved.
"Maybe in the future we can talk to the building inspector and say, 'When you get a new business, let us know,'" Vreeland said.
Leoni Township Trustee Judy Southworth also sits on the planning commission.
"I didn't even know these types of businesses were coming in, that's why we put the moratorium on for one year. We are looking at that and looking into what other townships and cities are doing," Southworth said.
Southworth said she visited a shop on Ann Arbor Road. The owner wants to move to a different location.
"I wanted to see how the operation was run. It was clean and professional," she said.
She does think that four in one township is more than enough.
"For a year, we can keep them out and we will create regulations," she said.
News Hawk- TruthSeekr420 420 MAGAZINE
Source: mlive.com
Author: Lisa Satayut
Contact: Contact Us - MLive.com
Website: Medical marijuana moratorium issue resurfaces at Leoni Township meeting | MLive.com
The issue came to light after a few public comments on the one-year moratorium passed last month on medical marijuana related businesses opening.
Some want to know what is going to happen after the moratorium is lifted and others want to know how "pot shops" got into Leoni without the township board or the residents knowing about it beforehand.
Leoni Township resident Peggy Duynslager gave the board a heads up that she would be circulating a flier in the community regarding the number of medical marijuana-related businesses that have opened.
There are four in the township.
"Did you know that the leadership of Leoni Township has allowed four marijuana shops to open in this small community?" she read from the flier.
"Did you know that the leadership of Leoni Township has let a doctor come in and advise people on how to get a marijuana card and approve of such card at this Patient Choice establishment?"
The moratorium in the township prohibits "the growth, sale, or dispensation of medical marijuana from any clinic, dispensary or other facility that does not already exist."
Leoni Township Supervisor Todd Brittain said the township is looking into restricting the businesses to heavy or light industrial zones.
"So my question to the board of Leoni Township is, 'What were you thinking in allowing all of these pot shops to open so close to schools and churches, or better yet what were you smoking?'" Duynslager asked.
After the meeting, Duynslager said she had no idea there were four medical marijuana businesses in the township. She is not happy that one is within walking distance to a school and a church.
Brittain said that up until the moratorium was passed there were no zoning restrictions set in place. He said he had not heard any complaints from community members about the businesses and admitted that not tackling the zoning issue upfront was a mistake on his part.
Leoni Township Planning Commissioner Paul Overeiner said, as a member of the planning commission, the commission was a little late to the table when it came to zoning restrictions.
"I agree it was perhaps a bit tardy to address this issue," he said.
Most in attendance were surprised to know that the township board is not made aware of new businesses, of any kind, before they open.
Township Treasurer Brenda Vreeland explained that when a new business wants to open in the township, it goes straight to the building inspector to see if it fits into the zoning ordinance. She said previously it would go to the township board for discussion before it was approved.
"Maybe in the future we can talk to the building inspector and say, 'When you get a new business, let us know,'" Vreeland said.
Leoni Township Trustee Judy Southworth also sits on the planning commission.
"I didn't even know these types of businesses were coming in, that's why we put the moratorium on for one year. We are looking at that and looking into what other townships and cities are doing," Southworth said.
Southworth said she visited a shop on Ann Arbor Road. The owner wants to move to a different location.
"I wanted to see how the operation was run. It was clean and professional," she said.
She does think that four in one township is more than enough.
"For a year, we can keep them out and we will create regulations," she said.
News Hawk- TruthSeekr420 420 MAGAZINE
Source: mlive.com
Author: Lisa Satayut
Contact: Contact Us - MLive.com
Website: Medical marijuana moratorium issue resurfaces at Leoni Township meeting | MLive.com
