The City Commission is set to vote tonight on an ordinance that would allow for medical marijuana dispensaries within the city limits.
LAKE ALFRED — The City Commission is set to vote tonight on an ordinance that would allow for medical marijuana dispensaries within the city limits.
Since the change is an ordinance, it requires two readings with the first scheduled for tonight.
A new state law signed by Gov. Rick Scott allows municipalities to decide whether medical marijuana is permitted within their limits, but if it is approved, the dispensaries must be treated the same as pharmacies.
“The bill signed by the governor says that city governments can decide whether to ban it or not to ban it,” said Marisa Barmby, senior planner with the Central Florida Regional Planning Council. “They would have to treat medical marijuana dispensaries like a CVS or a Walgreen’s.
But, she said, “There are some provisions that apply just to the dispensaries.”
One of those limitations includes a 500-foot buffer from a school. Dispensaries also would not be able to sell marijuana between 9 p.m. and 7 a.m. Dispensaries also would be required to have a fully operational security alarm.
In Lake Alfred, three of the four commercial zoning designations allow for pharmacies. The exception is C-4 zoning, which is intended for neighborhood convenience. Those areas are for low-intensity commercial and office spaces.
PROPERTY TAX RATE
The City Commission also is scheduled to adopt a tentative property tax rate for 2017-18 fiscal year which begins Oct. 1. The proposed rate is the same as the current rate: $7.24 per $1,000 in taxable value.
Under that rate, the owner of a home valued at $150,000 would pay $724 in property taxes after $50,000 in homestead exemptions. If the commission accepts the tentative rate, it would be able to lower it before passing the budget, but it could not raise the rate.
The commission is also expected set hearing dates for the budget. The commission can schedule the first reading of the budget for Sept. 7.
TIME AND PLACE
Tonight’s meeting will begin at 7:30 in the commission chambers, 120 E. Pomelo St.
credit:theledger.com
