Nov 6 2017

Cannabis Marijuana Regulations Proposed for Piedmont: November 13

Input is sought.

The Planning Commission will be considering revisions to land use regulations related to cannabis provided in Division 17.48 of the City Code at their regularly scheduled meeting on November 13, 2017. The Planning Commission’s responsibility is to make a recommendation that will be considered by the City Council, which is the decision-making body. The City Council is expected to consider the Commission’s recommendation and conduct a first reading of the proposed ordinance on December 4, 2017.

 Documents on the City Website

The agenda for the November 13, 2017 Planning Commission meeting and the staff report to the Commission are available on the City’s website at www.ci.piedmont.ca.us. Current land use regulations related to cannabis are provided in Division 17.48 of the City Code.

“AGENDA ITEM 3. CONSIDERATION OF AN ORDINANCE REVISING THE LAND USE REGULATIONS IN CITY CODE CHAPTER 17 RELATED TO CANNABIS The Commission will hold a hearing to consider an ordinance to revise City Code Chapter 17 regarding the land use regulations related to cannabis. The proposed revisions are in response to Proposition 64, which legalizes and regulates the adult use of non-medical marijuana (recreational marijuana) in California and Senate Bill 94, known as the Medicinal and Adult-Use Cannabis Regulation and Safety Act (“MAUCRSA”), which consolidated state laws regarding medical marijuana and adult-use marijuana and introduced more uniform terminology, replacing “marijuana” with “cannabis” and “nonmedical” to “adult-use.” The Commission may take action to make a recommendation of adoption to the City Council. The proposed ordinance is not subject to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to the CEQA Guidelines, California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Chapter 3, sections: 15060(c)(2) (the activity will not result in a direct or reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment); 15060(c)(3) (the activity is not a project as defined in Section 15378); and 15061(b)(3), because the activity is covered by the general rule that CEQA applies only to projects which have the potential for causing a significant effect on the environment. Furthermore, this action is not subject to CEQA pursuant to Business and Professions Code section 26055 (h).”

From the staff report to the Commission:

“PROPOSED REVISIONS TO CITY CODE: It is in the City’s best interest to maintain local control over all cannabis land uses to the fullest extent allowed by law. Although, the City Code currently prohibits all cannabis businesses, it will better serve the public and minimize the potential for confusion regarding the City’s policies by providing updated Code provisions regarding the scope of prohibited conduct and of permissible private cultivation that are consistent with State law. Findings H through Q in the proposed ordinance (Attachment A pages 5-10) list a number of findings that cannabis related activities allowed under MAUCRSA would cause adverse impacts on the public health, safety, and welfare in Piedmont.”

Public Engagement

The opportunity for public input is available throughout this process. Interested members of the public are encouraged to attend the regular meetings at which the Planning Commission and City Council will consider this item.

Questions about the project and requests to receive email notification of activities related to Zoning Code revisions should be directed to Planning Director Kevin Jackson at kjackson@piedmont.ca.gov or (510) 420-3039. Written comments to the Planning Commission on this matter may be submitted care of kjackson@piedmont.ca.gov or by mail to 120 Vista Avenue, Piedmont, CA 94611.

Members of the Piedmont Planning Commission

Roster

Council Liaison: Jennifer Cavenaugh – (510) 428-1442
Eric Behrens
Aradhana Jajodia
Jonathan Levine
Susan Ode
Tom Ramsey
Clark Thiel (Alternate)

 

Leave a Comment