To the Editor:
In early June the Board of Supervisors (BOS) approved a “Phase 3” Cannabis Ordinance on a 4-1 vote, formally ratified on June 22. John Haschak was the sole NO vote. This culminated several all-day hearings, back and forth to the Planning Commission, and an unprecedented over 500 public comments. The BOS rushed to finalize this ordinance before July 1 to utilize a temporary State exemption to the requirement for an Environmental Impact Report (EIR).
Among the 500 commenters, the vast majority opposed key provisions in the new ordinance. A major objection is allowing up to 10 percent of property acreage (for parcels over 10 acres) to be developed for cannabis growing. This includes rural residential, ag, and rangeland zoning districts – tens of thousands of acres of the County – though there are some added restrictions on the rangeland areas. Most permits would require a minor or major use permit.
Two groups have launched referendums to overturn either the whole Phase 3 ordinance or just the 10 percent provision. Either referendum would require approx. 4,000 signatures within 30 days after the June 22 adoption date. If qualified, such referenda would then go to the BOS which can either adopt one or both of them OR can schedule a special election to be brought to the voters. It’s possible both referenda could be approved (over 50 percent voting yes); so far the County has given no guidance on what would happen in that case.
The two groups call…
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To the Editor:
In early June the Board of Supervisors (BOS) approved a “Phase 3” Cannabis Ordinance on a 4-1 vote, formally ratified on June 22. John Haschak was the sole NO vote. This culminated several all-day hearings, back and forth to the Planning Commission, and an unprecedented over 500 public comments. The BOS rushed to finalize this ordinance before July 1 to utilize a temporary State exemption to the requirement for an Environmental Impact Report (EIR).
Among the 500 commenters, the vast majority opposed key provisions in the new ordinance. A major objection is allowing up to 10 percent of property acreage (for parcels over 10 acres) to be developed for cannabis growing. This includes rural residential, ag, and rangeland zoning districts – tens of thousands of acres of the County – though there are some added restrictions on the rangeland areas. Most permits would require a minor or major use permit.
Two groups have launched referendums to overturn either the whole Phase 3 ordinance or just the 10 percent provision. Either referendum would require approx. 4,000 signatures within 30 days after the June 22 adoption date. If qualified, such referenda would then go to the BOS which can either adopt one or both of them OR can schedule a special election to be brought to the voters. It’s possible both referenda could be approved (over 50 percent voting yes); so far the County has given no guidance on what would happen in that case.
The two groups call…
