In an ironic twist of fate, a blooming agricultural product \u2013 grown in a heavy industrial area \u2013 could help spark local economic development.<\/p>\n
Just off its heels of legalizing retail marijuana dispensaries, municipal leaders will now decide on how to proceed with a citizen\u2019s request to permit commercial grow operations at the Industrial Park. Held tonight at City Hall, the debate is included on the council\u2019s 7:30 p.m. agenda.<\/p>\n
Initially posed to the seven-member body during public comments on Sept. 9, Cortez resident Ronald Wolfe believes limiting marijuana operations to commercial and central business districts handcuffs economic potential.<\/p>\n
Wolfe was subsequently directed by city staff to present his case to planning and zoning officials on Oct. 7. He told P&Z officials he might pursue a business plan to grow cannabis in the industrial park,<\/p>\n
Planning commissioners, although the typical entity to review such land-use proposals, ultimately deflected the issue back to the city council. They cited an ad-hoc committee had been formed by the council to make the decision, according to a memo from planning and building director Kirsten Sackett.<\/p>\n
Included in her two-page note on Oct. 14, Sackett indicated concerns regarding 1,500-ft. zoning setbacks \u201cmay be moot.\u201d<\/p>\n
Also tonight, the city council is listed to hold a discussion in executive session about the sale of city property at the industrial park. Its unknown if the meeting planned behind closed doors is related to Wolfe\u2019s request.<\/p>\n
On Oct. 1, a state law requiring ganjapreneurs to grow 70 percent of what they sold expired.<\/p>\n
In a 5-2 decision, a municipal ordinance to regulate cannabis sales at the retail level was adopted in Cortez on Aug. 25.<\/p>\n