Task Force identifies new pot models
Business model nears legality
Options for new cannabis business models could roll out in a not too distant future should upcoming reviews of accelerating dynamics of the industry lean toward more creative adaptation for the versatile weed.
In talking of recommendations for cannabis oversight on April 8 at the Administration Building with the Lake County Cannabis Task Force was Mireya Turner, director of the Community Development Department.
In the Processor Permit Type, the Task Force recommended addition of PDC, Planned Development Commercial zoning district to what would be allowed a processor, and that would be with a Minor Use Permit. “We'll go over the changes again, so people from the Task Force understand recommendations that stand when passed BOS review, and approved in concept without change, so that'd be for new business license types,” she said.
Moving on, Turner remarked Type 9 Retail Delivery only, (C1 and C2) would not be located on a main street, meaning there is no store front and the public is not accessing it. Premises is for retail storage of product and for sales to be delivered.
Type 5, Large Cannabis Cultivator (over one acre) is a change from the existing zone ordinance, noted Turner. There is only a Type 3. “That's a one acre, outdoor 22,000 square foot parcel, so they're adding a Type 5,” she said. For Shared Manufacturing, there are no changes recommended to allow this business type applied to both Type 6 and Type 7, for Non-volatile and Volatile manufacturing permits. “So Shared Manufacturing is like having a commercial kitchen where multiple restaurants or a caterer go and use them,” she said.
Type 10 Retail Store Front with onsite consumption, the recommendation was to allow it with a connection to a retail store front with a minor use permit. Other Type 10 include: planned development commercial, community commercial, ag protection zone, timber protection zone, rural land and rural residential. Also under consideration, retail store front with on-site consumption, to be located where cannabis is cultivated. “It's similar to estate wineries where grapes are processed on site and having a tasting room.”
Another type, Temporary Cannabis Special Events, had not previously been considered by the board in the zoning ordinance noted Turner. Known as a permissible zoning ordinance, which means, if it is not in the ordinance, it is not allowed. “So, considering the addition of these types of businesses into the zoning ordinance, the board is signaling it is willing to contemplate regulation of these new types of businesses,” she said. There is one exception to the type above, it is not allowed in rural residential. But Turner cautioned a temporary cannabis special events OK would come with a zoning permit application, so long as their project description matches up the criteria required a permit can be issued. Yet Turner also noted it can be issued only as long as other law enforcement jurisdiction signs off on it, i.e.: Sheriff's Office, Fire Department etc. But there will be no requirement for a public hearing yet may entail a review of other agencies.
Holly Harris, a water quality advocate volunteering at Eastern Region Town Hall, Clearlake Oaks, met by Zoom. She also cautioned about some data stating how cannabis event information had not planned for distribution to the municipal advisory councils and asked for reconsideration of the policy.
“There could be something worthwhile for organizers of events to inform the MACs beforehand and actually promote it” she said. “I think it's a good idea to keep the MACs involved in all of this.”
Also on Zoom was consultant Sarah Bodnar, who added context. “The BOS and the Planning Commission
did not give carte blanche for all of theses activities to happen in all of these zones without further discussion,” she said. “They were very clear there is going to be a lot of other standards and conditions of approval they want to hear before they allow these other activities, from events to onsite consumption. They said, `Yes' to continue to work in the Task Force and develop those standards, to allow these activities in the zones.”
Turner added that as soon as they finish general development standards, they are going to start on standards specific to the new business types.