February 18, 2025 City Council Meeting – Supplemental Item Agenda Item #13 – Attachment F
Additional Questions /Answers on Proposed Cannabis Ordinance
1. Regarding Section 17.62.130.F.2, is the provision that all cannabis retail businesses must be located “[a]t least 1,000 feet from any other another commercial cannabis business” meant to apply during the operator permit application process such that the highest ranked applicant would “buffer out” any lower ranked applicant within 1,000 feet of the highest ranked applicant’s location?
Yes
2. Regarding Section 17.62.130.F.2, are the state law default sensitive use buffers of 600 feet from day care centers and 600 feet from youth centers (Business & Professions Code Section 26054) meant to apply to cannabis businesses in San Pablo?
The buffer zones set forth in the proposed Ordinance are in lieu of the default buffer zones set forth in Business & Professions Code Section 26054. There is no specific buffering from day care centers and youth centers. Section 17.62.130.F.2 provides buffer zones from elementary schools, middle schools, and high schools.
3. What is the intention behind Section 17.62.130.G.8, requiring the disclosure of prior litigation and permit/licensure history?
Evaluation criteria for the selection of cannabis operators will be established/determined in connection with the City’s Request for Proposals (RFP). An applicant’s litigation and licensure history may be one of many factors considered as part of the evaluation/selection process.
4. What is the definition of “owner” (i.e., investors in the applicant required to provide electronic fingerprint images and related information) under Section 17.62.130? The term “owner” is currently intended to refer to all persons having beneficial ownership in the proposed cannabis retail business. The City may, in its sole discretion, revisit these requirements in connection with the operator evaluation/selection process.
5. Regarding Section 17.62.130.G.10, will a letter of intent from an insurance company saying the insurance company will provide the insurance required under Section 17.62.130.I.4 suffice to satisfy the requirement under Section 17.62.130.G.10 for the purpose of an operator permit application / during the operator permit application process? Yes
6. Regarding Section 17.62.130.I.10, like other retail businesses, cannabis retail businesses have staffing changes regularly, basically weekly, such that the Chief of Police may find it administratively onerous to receive notice of every staffing change, rather than simply doing background checks on any new employee.
Police Department desires to receive notice of staffing changes, as currently drafted, but reserves the right to reevaluate this process in the future.