Title
Chief Administrative Office recommending the Board:
1) Establish a Cannabis Ad Hoc Committee to work with staff and the public to study remaining cannabis ordinance issues, including setbacks, canopy limits, propagation, and manufacturing; and
2) Appoint two members of the Board to the Ad Hoc Committee.
FUNDING: General Fund.
Body
DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
In March of 2023, the Board authorized a settlement in the matter of El Dorado County Growers Advocacy Alliance v. El Dorado County Board of Supervisors, et al., Case No. 21CV0161 which involved a challenge to the County's implementation of its commercial cannabis program. As part of the settlement agreement, the Planning Commission held multiple sessions on cannabis regulations and forwarded policy discussion areas to the Board. On September 12, 2023 (File No. 23-1501, Item No. 35), the Board directed that a Resolution of Intention (ROI) be prepared for ordinance revisions for several cannabis policy items. The ROI was adopted October 17, 2023 (File No. 23-1817, Item No. 16). The items in the ROI were brought to the Planning Commission for consideration on December 14, 2023 (File No. 23-2192, Item No. 5). The Planning Commission also recommended that four additional changes be incorporated in the Ordinance: reduced setbacks of the cannabis ordinance, expanded cannabis canopy limits, propagation and associated lighting changes, and nonvolatile manufacturing on cultivation sites.
On January 30, 2024, Staff brought forward and item for the Board to approve the first reading of the Ordinance, without the four additional items, but with the recommendation to further review setbacks, canopy limits, propagation, lighting and manufacturing uses. The Board approved the introduction (first reading) of the ordinance, continuing the matter to the February 27, 2024 meeting for final passage. The Board directed staff to add an item to the February 6, 2024 Board meeting to create an ad hoc committee to study the remaining issues.
ALTERNATIVES
The Board could choose not to appoint a Cannabis Ad Hoc Committee to consider rules .
PRIOR BOARD ACTION
September 12, 2023 (File No. 23-1501, Item No. 35)
October 17, 2023 (File No. 23-1817, Item No. 16)
December 14, 2023 (File No. 23-2192, Item No. 5)
January 30, 2024 (File 24-0175, Item No. 22)
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT
Planning and Building Department
CAO RECOMMENDATION / COMMENTS
It is recommended that the Board provide direction on the purpose and scope of the ad hoc committee and appoint two members to the committee.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
The work of the ad hoc committee would be a collaborative effort reliant on existing staff. There would be no direct financial impact as a result of this item.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
N/A
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT
Good Governance: Evaluate requests and recommendations based on complete assessment of the best available information, with the goal of reaching well informed decisions.
CONTACT
Jennifer Franich, Deputy Chief Administrative Officer