PORTAGE, MI -Portage’s proposed medical marijuana ordinances that would license facilities and set zoning standards got a first look Tuesday, prompting a few questions but no significant objections.
The Portage City Council committee of the whole meeting attended by more than 40 people introduced a 22-page draft ordinance regulating five types of medical marijuana facilities and an 11-page zoning ordinance proposal.
City Manager Larry Shaffer, whose administration has devoted extensive study and preparation of regulating medical marijuana, called the ordinances “exhaustive.”
“Not another activity in the city of Portage will be as regulated as the facilities will be under this ordinance,” Shaffer said, introducing a power point summarizing the highlights of both the facilities ordinance and zoning ordinance.
The proposed ordinance would regulate five medical marijuana facilities: provision centers or dispensaries, growers, processors, safety compliance and transporters. It would limit provision centers, growers and processors to 12 the first year, with no limits on the other two, but after the first year there would be no limit on any.
Provision centers would be in a B3 zoning district, with about 13 locations identified in the city as potential sites, and could not be adjacent to residential zoning districts and be 1,000 feet away from a school, library, child care center, playground or park.
Growers, processors, safety compliance and transporters would be in industrial zoning districts, again not adjacent to residential zoning districts and 1,500 feet away from a school, child care center or playground. About 14 locations are identified on a map for growers and processors. Safety compliance and secure transporter facilities are expected to have 100 locations, but city officials expect far fewer of these types of facilities to apply.
The proposed timeline for the city’s adoption: Thursday, Dec. 21, Planning Commission workshop reviewing the zoning ordinance; Jan. 4, 2018, Planning Commission public hearing on zoning ordinance; Jan. 23, council first reading of draft ordinances; Feb. 20, council special meeting and public hearing on draft ordinance; March, open window for applications for prequalified candidates determined by the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs.
The council’s initial examination of the ordinances produced several questions including why the administration is considering the first-year limit of 12 facilities for three of the categories and whether the regulations are specific enough on a scoring system for qualifying or disqualifying.
Shaffer said that once the council approves the ordinances it would be up to the city administration, specifically his office, public safety, clerk and community development, to set up the scoring system and issue a provisional business permit for pre-qualified applicants. An applicant must be state licensed before operating or opening a facility.
Council members Terry Urban and Claudette Reid said they were concerned that allowing up to 12 dispensaries, growers or processors was more than what was needed in Portage.
“Less than a month ago we were talking about four and now it’s 12,” Reid said. “Having 12 provision centers, I can’t see we need that many.”
Shaffer said that most on the council appeared to want more than four as first proposed, and other communities such as the city of Kalamazoo and Kalamazoo Township favor the dozen or so.
Mayor Pro-tem Jim Pearson said that it was important to make sure more facilities are allowed since they would be serving more than just Portage residents.
“We don’t want to restrict and not have enough provision centers,” Pearson said, likening it to a fast-food restaurant that is popular in the city but produces long lines.
Mayor Patricia Randall agreed, saying “We are obviously in a learning curve here. We’re not experts but we are trying to do what is best for the citizens.”
credit:mlive.com
