Title
An Ordinance creating a six (6) month moratorium on the establishment of any new marijuana consumption club facility within the City limits.
Body
From:
Peter Wysocki, Planning and Development Director
Summary:
The proposed ordinance is being supported by Councilmembers Don Knight and Larry Bagley. If adopted by the City Council, the proposed ordinance will create a moratorium on the establishment of any new marijuana consumption club facilities for six months. The moratorium will allow time for City staff to comprehensively review the City's existing marijuana regulations and draft any necessary code amendments.
Previous Council Action:
The Ordinance was approved by City Council on first reading at their 9/22/15 meeting.
Background:
? In 2014, based on a hearing of an appeal pertaining to a zoning violation notice and order issued to Studio A64, the City Council determined that marijuana consumption clubs were a similar use to "private membership clubs" as defined in the City's zoning code. The Council directed staff to prepare and propose an ordinance that would establish standards for marijuana consumption clubs.
? Over the past several months, City staff and El Paso County staff - representing CSPD, CSFD, Planning, City Clerk, City Attorney, CSU, RBD, County Attorney, and Sheriff's Office - have formed an internal task force to comprehensively review regulations pertaining to marijuana facilities. The purpose of this multi-disciplinary task force is to assess various issues associated with marijuana facilities, including code enforcement, licensing, land use compatibility, storage of flammable and explosive gases and liquids, building and fire code standards, impacts to residential electrical services and other utilities, and nuisances such as odor. Based upon the discussions by the task force, it has become clear that the City's marijuana regulations do not sufficiently address the health, safety and welfar...
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