City Council will discuss turning a new leaf on retail marijuana regulations during its upcoming work session on Tuesday, February 12. The local retail marijuana regulations have been in place for five years, when City Council first approved the current ordinance back in September 2013.
This past December, Council gave staff direction on items they would like to see rolled into a future ordinance that more closely aligns to state requirements for retail alcohol establishments. During the Feb. 12 work session, staff will present proposed language incorporating council’s direction from the earlier meeting, including:
- Remove the three retail licensed dispensary limitations and implement no limits on the number of retail marijuana dispensaries.
- Reduce the buffer zones currently at 1,000 feet to 500 feet from day care centers, schools and parks
- Allow marijuana stores in the downtown and gondola zone district (mountain base area)
- Remove the adjacency restrictions for residential zones; keep for all other licenses (cultivation, manufacturing, testing)
- Add minimum distance separation of 1,500 feet between all retail/medical storefronts
- Use direct pedestrian access methodology, consistent with the state’s liquor code.
While Council will not vote on a new ordinance during this meeting, it will discuss a draft of the proposed new language and modified requirements. Based on the outcome of the dialogue, a new ordinance, which could significantly change the way retail marijuana is regulated in the city, could come back for a first reading in March.
The 5pm work session will be held in Citizens Meeting Room of Centennial Hall and kicks off with a discussion on the Fire Station Site Selection (60 minutes) followed by Marijuana Policy (60 minutes), Alley Ways (60 minutes) and Term Limits (30 minutes). Public comment is typically called for by Council President Lacy on each agenda item.
For more information, the public can view the agenda and full packet for the meeting at steamboatsprings.net/agendas.
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Contacts
Rebecca Bessey, Planning & Community Development Director, 970.871.8202 or email
Bob Keenen, Principal Planner, 970.871.8260 or email
Michael Lane, Communications Manager, 970.871.8220 or email