Entities lauded for researching issues

Students often are reminded that it’s important to do their homework to achieve academic success. ¶ But similar advice also could apply to government entities when they have important decisions to make. ¶ That’s why we were happy to see that a local village council and a regional transportation agency recently decided to do their own versions of homework on separate topics.

Madison Village Council chose to consult one of the town’s other government panels when it comes to an ordinance that would prohibit adult-use marijuana businesses in the community.

Council, at its Jan. 22 meeting, tabled legislation to ban businesses that cultivate, process or dispense adult-use marijuana.

The panel also referred that same ordinance to the village Planning and Zoning Commission for further review.

“My understanding of the referral to the Planning and Zoning Commission is that they can perhaps send up recommendations to council,” Village Solicitor Joseph Szeman said.

“Perhaps their recommendation would be to allow certain types of adult-use cannabis operators in the village in certain zoning districts, or not.”

Council also is hoping that the commission will offer specific advice on allowing businesses to cultivate adult-use marijuana in the village, said Council President Mark Vest.

Ohio’s new marijuana law went into effect Dec. 7, after voters approved statewide Issue 2 in the Nov. 7 General Election.

Issue 2 legalized “the cultivation, processing, sale, purchase, possession, home grow and use of cannabis by adults at least 21 years of age,” according to a summary from the Ohio Secretary of State’s Office.

However, the state’s marijuana law also authorizes the legislative authority of municipal corporations — such as village or city councils — to adopt ordinances prohibiting “adult-use cannabis operators” within their territories.

This type of ordinance appeared on the agenda of Madison Village Council’s Jan. 22 meeting.

It marked the third separate meeting at which the title of the ordinance was read. That meant council was obligated to take a vote on either approving, rejecting or tabling the measure — which means setting it aside until it is reintroduced.

Legislative panels in several local communities recently approved moratoriums on marijuana-related businesses. They include Kirtland and Painesville city councils and Painesville Township trustees.

Kirtland City Council and Painesville Township trustees each passed resolutions to prevent officials in both communities from issuing or processing permits for adult-use marijuana retail dispensaries.

The moratoriums will expire no later than July 31, 2024, though either community can vote to end its moratorium earlier.

Painesville City Council adopted six-month moratoriums on new marijuana and vaping establishments.

Meanwhile, the Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency — also known as NOACA — recently launched a major survey designed to learn more details about travel trends and patterns in Northeast Ohio.

About 550,000 households throughout five counties will be randomly selected to complete the survey. Those five counties are: Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake, Lorain and Medina.

The survey data will help set transportation priorities within the region and prioritize local transportation projects.

The survey will also help transportation planners determine how to improve mobility, roads and public transportation; reduce traffic congestion; and enhance walking and bicycling opportunities.

The survey will be sent to a random sample of Northeast Ohio residents. Households are initially contacted by mail and asked to respond to a brief survey about their daily travel, including the places they go and details about the type of transportation they use to get there.

Responses will be used to understand where people are trying to go in their daily lives, how they get there, and how much time and effort it takes them.

The survey results create a snapshot of how the transportation system in the region is used. Transportation planners will use that snapshot to plan and develop improvements.

Residents can help by participating in the survey if they receive an invitation in the mail.

Each household invited to complete the survey represents thousands of other households, with similar demands and needs in nearby neighborhoods that were not selected, according to a news release.

The News-Herald commends both Madison Village Council and NOACA for taking extra steps to research issues before them. It demonstrates that each entity wants to make well-informed decisions that are in the best interest of the constituents they serve.