Belmont Cannabis Policy
City Council Meeting
July 25th, 2023
BACKGROUND – BELMONT CANNABIS
• January 2021 – CC Considers Options For Diversifying Revenues • April 2021 – Review of Local Cannabis Policy Framework • November 2021 – Policy Options / Initial City Council Feedback • March 2022 –Zoning Requirements / App Process / License Caps • April 2022 – CC Review RE: Zoning Overlay District Mods/ CUP Performance Requirements & Development Standards
• June 2022 – PC Review & Recommendation RE: Zoning Overlay District Mods/ CUP Performance Requirements & Development Standards
• July 2022 – CC Review RE: Zoning Overlay District Mods/ CUP Performance Requirements & Development Standards; Council continues item pending further public outreach & analysis
April 25, 2023 Belmont 2025 and Beyond 3
Long Range Plans
July 25, 2023 Belmont 2025 and Beyond 4
THANK YOU
WWW.BELMONT.GOV
Summary of Potential General Plan & BZO Modifications
5 1. Facilitate General Plan Amendments that provide goal/policy guidance for Commercial Cannabis uses for the General Plan designated properties along South El Camino Real (ECR) - both east & west side fronting properties from O’Neill Avenue to the border of San Carlos.
2. Facilitate a process to allow S-3 Cannabis Retail & Distribution Combining District Zoning on a property-by-property basis, upon request, located within the subject South ECR area.
3. Modify BZO Section 3 to list the new combining district; Section 9 to define Cannabis Retail & Distribution as conditional uses in the subject overlay combining district; and, Section 10 (Planning Procedures) regarding Zoning Administrator (ZA) review authority of a Use Permit for the proposed uses.
4. Modify Section 21 (Combining Districts) to add the specific S-3 Overlay Zone and the pertinent zoning standards:
• Cannabis Retail & Distribution Definitions
• Zoning Administrator Review Authority
• Use Permit Requirements
• Development Regulations
• Performance Standards
Additional Requested City Council Feedback/Direction & Proposal Update
6 1. Number of Permits – Staff is seeking direction on allowance of a maximum of up to two commercial retail cannabis use permits, and a maximum of up to two cannabis distribution use permits, as lawfully permitted via the Cannabis Regulatory Ordinance, and a Zoning Administrator Use Permit review process.
2. Within the last two months, the City has received two proposals to establish Cannabis Retail Dispensaries for certain properties along south El Camino Real. Staff has not reviewed these proposals in detail. Staff is looking to confirm City Council policy interest before allocating staff resources towards review and legal analysis of the proposals and next steps.
Next Steps
7 1. Should Council concur with the approach for potential General Plan Amendments, and Zoning Ordinance/Basemap Amendments for south El Camino Real to create a Commercial Cannabis Combining District (Zoning Overlay), staff would then engage in public outreach in advance of returning the Amendments for consideration at future Planning Commission and City Council public hearings.
2. Concurrently, staff will begin preparing a Commercial Cannabis Regulatory Ordinance for Council consideration.
THANK YOU!
July 25, 2023 Belmont Cannabis Update 8