TO: Mayor and Council Members
Marlene Best, City Manager
Shawn Hagerty, City Attorney
FROM: Annette Ortiz, CMC, City Clerk
DATE: January 24, 2024
SUBJ: Updated Council Meeting Materials – January 24, 2024 CONTINUED BUSINESS:
(5) Cannabis Workshop Related to Manufacturing Uses and Retail Locations in Neighborhood Commercial Zones and Clarification about the Draft Application Process for Retail Business Licenses. (Planning and Building – Sawa)
The attached correspondence for above mentioned Item was received and is provided for your consideration.
From: Dana Stevens
To: John Minto; Ronn Hall; Laura Koval; Dustin Trotter; Rob McNelis Cc: Clerk Info; [email protected]
Subject: Item 5 on tonight"s Santee City Council agenda: Please HOLD THE LINE Date: Wednesday, January 24, 2024 3:04:16 PM
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La Mesa gerrymandered path of travel.pdf
Dear Mayor Minto and Council:
CASA appreciates the care, study, and time you have taken on behalf of the residents of Santee in crafting a cannabis ordinance that pre-empts a disingenuous, cannabis-industry-written ballot measure and avoids the worst of the mistakes made or suffered by nearby jurisdictions. Key to that planning were:
minimum distance requirements from sensitive uses measured property line to property line, not by a "path of travel" that can and has been misused to undermine the intent of the voters or their elected officials
strict zoning requirements for all cannabis businesses – whether manufacturing, distributing or retail sales – that separates them from family-oriented, child-safe neighborhood commercial uses
limiting the number of retailers to prevent Santee from becoming a drug destination.
At your December workshop, a few cannabis industry representatives and advisors suggested changes to the ordinance that would allow pot shops in neighborhood commercial zones. This change is reflected in the revised ordinance language under consideration tonight. I urge you to hold the line and keep those businesses away from the NC zones.
There was also a request to revisit the distance requirements and change the existing property line to property line measurement to path of travel. I am sure you remember the gerrymandered "path of travel" that was permitted in La Mesa, allowing two retail businesses to open within 200 feet as the crow flies but were permitted by ridiculous placement of walls and entry in the site plan. The proposed (and approved) plans are attached. This is not the only example that we have seen in La Mesa, but it's a blatant one that the cannabis industry would not hesitate to use in its business model that puts profits over people.
In tonight's discussion, I urge you to hold the line and implement your original ordinance language.
By learning from the mistakes of others and taking your time in allowing commercial cannabis into Santee, you have taken the lead in designing a carefully considered ordinance that puts the welfare of your city and its residents first. Please hold on to that advantage.
Thank you for your consideration and for your ongoing service to Santee.
Respectfully,
Dana Stevens, MPA
Dana Stevens, MPA
Executive Director
Community Action Service & Advocacy/CASA
7839 University Ave, Suite 107
La Mesa, CA 91942
619.442.2727 X 101
www.CASAneighborhoods.org
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