Agenda Date: 12/01/2020
Subject:
Title
Ordinance 47-2020: An ordinance on second reading amending Chapter 20, of Title 3, of the Littleton City Code regarding medical marijuana centers
Body
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Prepared by: |
Reid Betzing, City Attorney |
PURPOSE:
To approve on second reading an ordinance amending Title 3, Chapter 20, of the Littleton City Code regarding medical marijuana centers.
PRESENTATIONS:
Staff Presenter(s): Reid Betzing, City Attorney and Colleen L. Norton, City
Clerk
Additional Presenter(s): N/A
SUMMARY:
Citizen initiated ballot measure 300 went to the registered electors of the City of Littleton on November 3, 2020.
“Shall existing medical marijuana center licensees in the City of Littleton be permitted to sell retail marijuana on and after January 1, 2021?”
Election Results: Yes: 17,057 (64.8%)
No: 9,260 (35.1%)
In order to effectuate the vote of the citizens prior to January 1st it is necessary to make certain amendments to our licensing code concerning medical marijuana centers.
PRIOR ACTIONS OR DISCUSSIONS:
A study session occurred on November 10, 2020 to discuss and get direction on some of the changes that would need to occur.
This ordinance passed on first reading on November 17, 2020.
ANALYSIS:
Staff Analysis
Based on the passage of the ballot measure and subsequent discussion with Council two small amendments to the existing ordinance were made.
The first change is confirming that in measuring the buffer zones, the City wanted to clarify that those measurements included locations out of the City limits.
Additionally, based upon direction that was received by a majority of Council, while Council did not want to add a definition of park that would address one of the locations which is non-conforming to our current business license buffer zones, a majority of Council wanted the one location to be allowed to operate retail from their existing location without changing buffering language.
As such, language was inserted to add a conforming section in terms of use and location to the ordinance.
Council Goal, Objective, and/or Guiding Principle
Littleton will remain ENGAGED and civic-minded in all matters affecting the direction and
priorities of city government and the community.
Fiscal Impacts
N/A
Alternatives
Not make changes and risk costly litigation
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends adopting the proposed ordinance changes to ensure that the City is following the will of the people as expressed in the vote for ballot measure 300.
PROPOSED MOTION:
Proposed Motion
I move to approve the ordinance on second reading amending Chapter 20, of Title 3, of the Littleton City Code regarding medical marijuana centers.