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RiversideCA.gov
Review of Storefront Retail Commercial Cannabis Business ProgramCity Council MeetingJanuary 7, 2025Community & Economic Development RiversideCA.gov2
BACKGROUND
2016: California Voters Passed Prop. 65 (The Adult Use of Marijuana Act)City Implemented a Moratorium on Commercial Cannabis ActivitiesSept. 2021: City received Notice of Intent to Circulate Petition for the Riverside Cannabis Taxation and Regulation Act.
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BACKGROUND
November 2021: Economic Development, Placemaking, and Branding/Marking Committee discussed the need to develop an OrdinanceDirected Staff to return with Ordinance OptionsMarch 2022: EDPBM Directed staff to prepare amendments to the Municipal Code to establish a process for Retail Storefront Commercial Cannabis Businesses; and Conduct a Financial Analysis and move forward with a tax ballot measure in 2024.
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BACKGROUND
October 2022: EDPBM received a Draft Amendments and provided additional direction to finalize the DraftDecember 2022: Planning Commission WorkshopDiscussions on Sensitive Use types and distancesConcentration of Cannabis Storefronts Permit Process and Costs Crime impacts
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APPROVALS
March 2023: City Council Approved Ordinance Regulating Cannabis Business Activities, and Set the Maximum Number of Permits = 14 October 2023: City Council Approved Permit Guidelines and Application Review Criteria RiversideCA.gov6
RMC CHAPTER 5.77
Purpose and IntentBusiness Activity RequirementsBackground requirementsMaximum Number of PermitsCity’s reservation of rights
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RMC CHAPTER 5.77
Timeline for Applicants to exercise a permitAppeals ProcessLocation Requirements: Zones, Sensitives Uses, and DistancesRecord Keeping Requirements RiversideCA.gov8
RMC CHAPTER 5.77
Security MeasuresOperating RequirementsDelivery RequirementsOut-of-Town Delivery RequirementsDetailed Inspection and Enforcement Provisions
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GUIDELINES AND CRITERIA
Detail Application Period and ProcessApplication RequirementsReview Panel CompositionApplication Evaluation Process RiversideCA.gov10
GUIDELINES AND CRITERIA
Phase 1Merit-Based Scoring in accordance with approved scoring criteriaExperience and Qualifications
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GUIDELINES AND CRITERIA
Phase 2Preferred LocationsZoning VerificationSite ReviewFinal Permit Approval RiversideCA.gov12
CURRENT STATUS
December 2023: 40 Applications receivedEvaluations Completed: Top 14 List Posted March 2024Applicants Submitted Preferred Site Locations List of Preferred Locations Posted on Website
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CURRENT STATUS
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CURRENT STATUS
Zoning Verifications Completed: All 14 LocationsStep 2.3 Site Review Documents Due January 15, 20255 Applicants have submitted Step 2.3 DocumentsNo Applicant has completed Step 2.3
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CURRENT STATUS
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CURRENT STATUS
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CONCENTRATION OF CANNABIS STOREFRONTS
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SENSITIVE USES AND ZONES
Regulated Uses vs Protected UsesCurrently: K-12 Schools, Licensed Daycares, and Community CentersCurrent Zoning: All Zones allowing Retail SalesNo Distance between Cannabis Storefronts RiversideCA.gov26
WHAT OTHER CITIES ARE DOING
Have designated additional Sensitive usesParks (Corona, Perris, San Bernardino)Places of Worship (Perris, Moreno Valley)Youth / Recreation Centers (Corona, Perris, Moreno Valley, San Bernardino, Colton)Residential Zone buffer (Corona, Perris, San Bernardino)Distance between Cannabis Storefronts (Moreno Valley)
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WHAT OTHER CITIES ARE DOING
Limit of Permits per Ward / Council District (Perris, limited into 2 zones)Zoning:•Corona: Manufacturing•Moreno Valley: Commercial: Community and Neighborhood, Business Park, Light Industrial•Perris: Commercial and Industrial•San Bernardino: Commercial and Industrial•Jurupa Valley: Commercial RiversideCA.gov28
OPTIONS
Keep as isInstituting a two permit per Ward LimitLimiting Cannabis uses to Industrial/Manufacturing ZonesEstablish minimum Distance Requirements between Cannabis Storefronts.Establish new sensitive use categories and associated minimum distance requirements.
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Strategic Priority 2 – Community Well-Being•Goal 2.4– Support programs and innovations that enhance communitysafety, encourage neighborhood engagement, and build public trust.Cross-Cutting Threads
STRATEGIC PLAN ALIGNMENT
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Staff recommends the City Council discuss theStorefront Commercial Cannabis Permit ProgramOrdinance and Guidelines and Provide Direction toStaff on how to proceed.RECOMMENDATIONS 12/26/2024
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Options for the City Council’s Consideration include:1. Keep the Storefront Retail Commercial Cannabis Permit process as-isand continue with the City’s current evaluation and review ofcannabis business permit applications and subsequent issuance of upto fourteen such permits;2. Adopt a Resolution postponing the permitting process under RMC5.77.120 to consider changes to application and/or permitrequirements, which may include modification of requirements for or areduction in the number of permits, or repeal of Cannabis Ordinances.3. If Option 2 is selected, provide direction to staff on whichmodifications/amendments to research for City Council consideration.RECOMMENDATIONS RiversideCA.gov32
Two Recommended Options:1. Keep the Cannabis Ordinance and Guidelines as-is.2. Adopt a Reso. Postponing the Permitting Process to consider changes to application and/or permit requirements:A. Instituting a two permit per Ward LimitB. Limiting Cannabis uses to Industrial/Manufacturing ZonesC. Establish minimum Distance Requirements between Cannabis Storefronts.D. Establish new sensitive use categories and associated minimum distance requirements.3. If 2 is the preferred option, Provide Direction to Staff on which ofCONCLUSION