Title
Ordinance No. 16-57 creating a twelve (12) month moratorium on the processing of any land use approval or licensing application for a new medical marijuana facility or the change of location of a currently operating medical marijuana facility within the City limits
Presenter:
Councilmember Larry Bagley
Body
Summary:
The proposed ordinance would establish a new City moratorium on the processing of any application for land use approval or licensing for any new medical marijuana facilities, or for the change of location or the expansion of a currently operating medical marijuana facility, for a time not to exceed one year. The current six-month moratorium, which runs through May 25, 2016, allowed time for City staff and the Medical Marijuana Task Force to review the City's existing marijuana regulations and propose a number of code amendments. However, the consensus of the task force was that an additional moratorium, as well as the establishment of a working group of City staff and stakeholders, is necessary to fully explore issues relating to this rapidly-emerging and complex industry. The moratorium would not preclude the continued operation of any legally existing facilities.
Previous Council Action:
City Council adopted Ordinance 15-79, relating to the current moratorium, on October 27, 2015. As a result of the work of the Medical Marijuana Task Force, which was created by Ordinance 15-79, City Council heard presentations regarding proposed ordinances regarding medical marijuana zoning and enforcement, at its work session meeting on April 11, 2016, and will consider those proposed ordinances at its regular meeting on April 26, 2016.
Background:
Regulations for medical marijuana facilities were first adopted by the City Council in 2011. Medical marijuana facilities are defined by the City's zoning code as:
An establishment licensed by the City of Colorado Springs and the State of Colorado for the growth, cultivation, acquisition,...
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