File #: 23-1507    Version: 1 Name:
Type: Informational Report Status: Passed
File created: 11/2/2023 In control: Planning and Building
On agenda: 11/7/2023 Final action: 11/7/2023
Title: 11:00 AM - Options for Addressing Concerns with Number of Cannabis Permits and Size of Permitted Cannabis Cultivation on a Parcel
Sponsors: Planning and Building, Laura McClenagan
Attachments: 1. Staff Report, 2. Modifications to Ordinance_draft.pdf

To: Board of Supervisors

From: Planning and Building Department

Agenda Section: Time Certain Matter

Vote Requirement: Majority

SUBJECT:
title
11:00 AM - Options for Addressing Concerns with Number of Cannabis Permits and Size of Permitted Cannabis Cultivation on a Parcel
end

RECOMMENDATION(S):
Recommendation
That the Board of Supervisors:
1. Direct staff to return on Nov. 28, 2023, with a resolution to place an ordinance on the March, 2024 ballot to amend the Commercial Cannabis Land Use Ordinance to limit the number of allowed cannabis permits, and to place a limit on the area of cannabis cultivation that can be permitted on a parcel.

Body
SOURCE OF FUNDING:
The work for this report came from the General Fund allocation of the Budget Unit 282.

DISCUSSION:

This report present options for your Board to consider in response to concerns raised by the Humboldt Cannabis Reform Initiative (HCRI) and includes a recommendation to place a voluntary referendum on the ballot to reduce the cap on the number of permits and cultivation acreage allowed under the ordinance and to limit the size of cultivation to 1 acre per parcel. The voluntary referendum provides the greatest assurance to the public that the limits are stable without creating undesirable side effects like making existing permit holders non-conforming.

At the Board of Supervisors meeting of Oct. 3, 2023, your Board considered options related to establishing a moratorium on accepting new cannabis applications in response to the Humboldt Cannabis Reform Initiative (HCRI). Your Board considered a limited term moratorium, a permanent moratorium, and a ballot initiative to impose a moratorium. Your Board directed alternatives be brought back for consideration.

Your Board discussed the HCRI highlights public concern with the number of cannabis permits being issued and the size of the permitted cultivation sites. Any action taken should consider the degree to which an action addresses these c...

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