City Council/Public Finance and Economic Development Authority/Parking Authority
March 20, 2023

Policy Direction
Commercial
Cannabis
Business Permits
March 20, 2023
Retail Cannabis Business Permits
° Commercial Cannabis Business Permits are part of Zoning Ordinance ° Currently provides for Five retail permits
° Permit process for fifth permit started in January 2022 ° Applications have been reviewed, ranked, and notice provided ° Currently there are two appeals – to be heard in April 2023 ° Council expressed interest in potential modifications – proposed two- step process
Step 1
° Expand the current number of retail commercial cannabis permits – up to ten (10)
° Adding a new section allowing the Council to consider alternative sites for a retail cannabis business under appeal
° Cleanup from 2021 updates to permit modifications to ownership interest
Step 2
° Align retail permits with non-retail permits
• No cap on number permits and no merit based criteria
• Rely on distances from sensitive uses and allowable zoning districts ° Modifications to local ownership and background to rely on State permitting process – no duplication or more stringent requirements ° Other possible changes
• Expanding permitted zones
• Allowing operations in “City Center”
• Creating a more streamlined process for non-retail cannabis permits • Other updates based on community input and Council direction Leafly
2022
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Council Direction
Step 1 – expansion of number of retail permits,
alternative sites for appeals, ownership cleanup
Step 2 – modifications to retail permit process to align with non-retail permits, other modifications