PORT TOWNSEND — The Jefferson County Board of Commissioners has extended a moratorium on recreational marijuana-related operations in a way that allows current applicants to proceed with their businesses as the county develops permanent rules.
The compromise resolution was crafted by District 2 Commissioner David Sullivan and presented to the District 1 Commissioner Phil Johnson and District 3 Commissioner Kathleen Kler on Monday and was a modification to a resolution that died at the commissioners’ Feb. 2 meeting for lack of a second.
“We have found an adequate balance that protects everybody,” Sullivan said.
“It gives the Planning Commission time to do their work and judge the impacts of these businesses.”
About 25 businesses that were placed in limbo by the moratorium will be allowed to proceed through the licensing process and will be approved as long as they meet requirements from other agencies, Sullivan said.
In August, commissioners imposed a six-month moratorium on marijuana businesses in unincorporated areas to provide time to develop guidelines.
In January, the county Department of Community Development requested another four months to complete that task, which would extend the moratorium to June 11 and allow more study of the rules in cooperation with the Planning Commission.
The commissioners had two options for a moratorium extension: to extend the measure as it is or to amend it to exempt businesses on parcels larger than 5 acres.
At the end of the Feb. 2 meeting, the commissioners had exercised a third option: to take no action, thus allowing the moratorium to passively expire.
Sullivan’s revision to the second option created a fourth choice, allowing outdoor growing on any sized parcels of rural residential land, allowing indoor growing operations on any parcel larger than five acres and inside a temporary building and production and processing on any parcel designated as industrial.
Still restricted is the processing of crops outside of harvesting and drying in rural residential areas, with the commissioners’ intention to develop regulations that address the differences between marijuana and other agricultural products.
After Sullivan presented his proposed revisions they were discussed and unanimously approved by the board.
The revised moratorium replaces one that expires Wednesday and will be in effect until June 11.
As part of the process, the county commissioners hope to hold a joint meeting with the Planning Commission as soon as possible in the hope that its completed work will lead to new guidelines that would lead to the moratorium’s cancellation.
“I want to expedite this,” said Planning Commission Chair Kevin Coker after Monday’s meeting.
“We will schedule special meetings, and I’d like to see this done in two months.”
Department of Community Development Director Carl Smith said the work wasn’t accomplished during the initial six months due to staff shortages and the inability to address the matter at the Planning Commission’s monthly meetings.
Smith first requested the extension at the Jan. 5 county commissioners’ meeting, at which time several growers stated opposition to the extension as it would delay planting enough to endanger their growing season.
On Monday, Smith said DCD had not considered this delay prior to its mention at that meeting.
Grower Jean Ball, who first advanced that argument, said Monday that she will be able to plant a crop this year.
Steve Ramsey of Port Ludlow, who has testified at several public hearings, said he was disappointed with the commissioners’ action.
“I think this was a real punt on the issue,” Ramsey said.
“Sullivan was consistent in that he didn’t want any meaningful regulations and the other two had enough questions that it was clear this needs more air time.”
The meeting took place at the Cotton Building due to the expectations of high public interest.
More than 50 people were present for the public comment period which was extended to an hour, double its normal time, due to those who wished to speak.
About 25 people spoke during the comment period, with about twice as many favoring the moratorium’s extension as those opposed.
“This has turned into a win-lose situation when it didn’t need to,” said Kristina Mayer of Chimacum, one of many speakers calling on the commissioners to allow the Planning Commission time to make its recommendation.
“The environment loses, young families lose and worst of all our county government is losing the respect and appreciation of many of our rural residents.”
“Pro marijuana business people have reminded us that 65 percent of the county voted for this,” said John Hacko of Chimacum.
“They did not vote for marijuana businesses in their neighborhood or next to their home, they voted so they could purchase, smoke and possess marijuana legally.”
Hacko criticized the county’s failure to provide notices about businesses locating in neighborhoods.
“I received notice from the county about a new public trail planned a quarter of a mile from one of my properties but I didn’t get a notice of a marijuana farm and processing business going in next to my house,” he said.
Jason Serinus of Port Townsend said that concerns about crime connected to legal marijuana are groundless as the legal pot business will eventually destroy the black market.
Several growers commented, saying the moratorium interfered with their legitimate, legal business.
“It wasn’t cheap to start up this operation,” sad Nan DuMond of Port Townsend about her proposed grow business.
“My worries are that if you don’t let this moratorium lapse, I don’t think this small operation can make it, which means that I won’t have a job in this amazing new little business.”
After the comment period, most of those who addressed the board began leaving, with only about 20 people present to witness the commissioners’ final deliberations and extension of the moratorium.
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Jefferson County Editor Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or cbermant@peninsuladailynews.com.
