Medical marijuana, development on agenda
Zoning change would limit dispensaries’ size, proximity to schools.
Wellington’s Village Council faces a packed agenda tonight, with two controversial items leading the lineup: medical marijuana dispensaries and a proposed aviation-equestrian development.
Here is a look at some of the topics most likely to generate discussion among council members and the public at the meeting at 7 p.m. tonight in Village Hall.
Medical marijuana dispensaries
As other Palm Beach County municipalities make decisions on the industry, Wellington’s staff has been researching how to allow dispensaries in the village — with some restrictions.
State law requires counties and municipalities treat medical pot dispensaries no differently than pharmacies. So Wellington will consider a proposed zoning change that would limit pharmacies and dispensaries to be no closer than 1,000 feet to a primary or secondary school; require them to be at least 10,000 square feet; and implement a limit of no more than one pharmacy or dispensary per commercial development.
Stand-alone pharmacies and medical pot dispensaries along State Road 7 or with frontage on the road would not have to comply with those restrictions.
Flying Cow Ranch
This proposed development would bring homes with stables and a private airstrip to 150 acres just south of the Wellington Environmental Preserve. While the village’s Planning, Zoning and Adjustments Board last month recommended approval of the developer’s zoning and comprehensive plan requests, board members stopped short of giving the OK to a site plan that includes extending the current 1,800-foot airstrip to more than 4,800 feet.
At that meeting, Aero Club residents said they were concerned that extending the now little-used airstrip would increase the possibility of collisions with aircraft from their runway. The site plan request is not part of today’s discussion, as the developers meet with Aero Club residents to iron out possible flight-plan overlap.
Equestrian activities
The Village Council will discuss a seasonal permit for activities at the Global Dressage Complex along South Shore Boulevard. Officials expect more competitors in Wellington this year as the equestrian world prepares for the World Equestrian Games next year in Tryon, North Carolina.
Bacon and Bourbon Fest
The Bacon and Bourbon Fest is leaving Delray Beach for the Wellington Amphitheater complex in March. The Village Council will discuss a proposed partnership with the festival’s operator, Delray Beach Arts Inc., where Wellington would waive fees for use of the amphitheater and community center properties.