HomeMy WebLinkAbout6. PLN-15-00200 - Medical MarijuanaSTAFF REPORT
PLANNING DIVISION
DATE: NOVEMBER 18, 2015
TO: PLANNING COMMISSION
SUBMITTED BY: ALDO E. SCHINDLER, DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
REVIEWED BY: WILLIAM E. DAVIS, CITY PLANNER
PREPARED BY: DAVID BLUMENTHAL, SENIOR PLANNER
SUBJECT: PLN-15-00220 (ZONING TEXT AMENDMENT INITIATION) – A REQUEST
TO INITIATE AN AMENDMENT TO THE ZONING CODE REGARDING
MEDICAL MARIJUANA REGULATIONS
LOCATION: CITYWIDE
ZONING: VARIOUS
DISCUSSION
Medical marijuana dispensaries are currently prohibited in the City of Downey by Municipal
Code Section 9428. However, recent changes in State law may put the City’s ability to regulate
this type of use in jeopardy. To maintain the City’s control on this land use regulation, staff
needs to amend the Code to add additional language to provide proper regulations. As such,
staff is requesting the Planning Commission initiate a Zoning Text Amendment to consider
updating the Municipal Code regarding medical marijuana, thereby allowing staff to analyze the
amendment and set the matter for public hearing.
ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS
Pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3) of the State of California Code of Regulations, staff has found
that this request is not subject to CEQA since initiation of a Code Amendment does not have the
potential to create an environmental impact. Should the Code Amendment be initiated, an
environmental assessment will be conducted to analyze impacts of said Code Amendment.