PORT ANGELES — The Clallam County Planning Commission has given the green light to an ordinance that would regulate the recreational marijuana industry in unincorporated areas.
The land-use advisory panel voted 7-1 Wednesday to recommend approval of a new law that allows the growing, processing and sale of state-regulated cannabis in 12 county zones but keeps the pot industry out of rural neighborhoods.
County commissioners are expected to discuss the Planning Commission recommendation in an Aug. 17 work session, with a possible call for a hearing Aug. 18, county Principal Planner Kevin LoPiccolo said.
Commissioners will conduct a public hearing before they consider approving the marijuana ordinance in September, LoPiccolo said.
Like a temporary ordinance on the books now, the recommended proposal aims to strike a balance between proponents of the voter-approved marijuana industry and concerned neighbors.
It restricts pot farms from rural hamlets but allows the state’s licensed entrepreneurs to operate in certain industrial and commercial zones.
Clallam County’s temporary marijuana ordinance was adopted last October and extended in March.
Agricultural retention
The only substantive change to the new proposal is the addition of the agricultural retention zone as a conditional use for marijuana.
The 11 other zones would not require a conditional-use permit for marijuana.
Four zones would be subject to development standards such as minimum parcel sizes and property line setbacks.
The draft ordinance can be viewed on the county Department of Community Development website at www.clallam.net/DCD.
Fifty-five percent of Clallam County voters supported the 2012 state initiative that legalized up to 1 ounce of recreational marijuana for adults 21 and older.
County commissioners, hearings examiners and members of the Planning Commission have heard passionate public testimony from both sides of the issue as officials struggled to adapt to the law.
LoPiccolo said the recent Planning Commission meeting was “very straightforward,” with 13 of 14 public speakers supportive of the ordinance.
Jane Hielman was the lone no vote on the Planning Commission, and Scott Clausen was absent, LoPiccolo added.
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Reporter Rob Ollikainen can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5072, or at rollikainen@peninsuladailynews.com.
