Port Townsend council to conduct another meeting on proposed pot buffer zone changes

PORT TOWNSEND — Port Townsend City Council has approved on a first reading an ordinance that would shrink marijuana buffer zones around certain protected areas.

A second reading and final approval of Ordinance 3158 is tentatively scheduled to be considered by the City Council on Nov. 21. The meeting will be at 6:30 p.m. in council chambers at historic City Hall, 540 Water St.

The council hopes to receive public comment on the ordinance at the next meeting after no members of the public commented on the issue during last Monday’s meeting, when the proposed change was approved by five council members.

ADVERTISEMENT
0 seconds of 0 secondsVolume 0%
Press shift question mark to access a list of keyboard shortcuts
00:00
00:00
00:00
 

Two members — Council member David Faber and Deputy Mayor Catharine Robinson — were absent.

Ordinance 3158 would reduce buffer zones for recreational and medical marijuana shops from 1,000 feet to 100 feet around recreational centers, public parks, transit centers, libraries, arcades and child care centers.

Buffer zones of 1,000 feet would still be in place around elementary and secondary schools and public playgrounds in accordance with current state law.

Currently in Port Townsend, marijuana retailers cannot be within 1,000 feet of any of these protected areas.

The reduction in buffer zones would open up new areas for marijuana retailers in Port Townsend, according to senior city planner John McDonaugh, who presented the ordinance to the city Planning Commission in October.

While the council’s decision last Monday was unanimous, members took issue with some of the provisions of the ordinance.

“For me it was the buffer around child care centers being reduced from 1,000 feet to 100 feet,” Council member Robert Gray said.

“We don’t have any child care centers in Port Townsend but we do have private, family run child care, and I thought maybe a buffer around those would be a good idea.”

________

Jefferson County Editor/Reporter Cydney McFarland can be reached at 360-385-2335, ext. 55052, or at cmcfarland@peninsuladailynews.com.

More in News

Jeannine Vaughn of Carlsborg looks a gems and jewelry at a display table operated by Steve Morgan of Joyce-based Lil’ Log Cabin Creations on Saturday at the Clallam County Rock, Gem and Jewelry Show at Vern Burton Community Center in Port Angeles. The show, hosted by the Clallam County Gem & Mineral Association, brought together rock enthusiasts with vendor booths and demonstrations highlighting the hobby. (Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News)
Gem show

Jeannine Vaughn of Carlsborg looks a gems and jewelry at a display… Continue reading

Sequim City Council members will discuss March 24 how the city’s Fourth of July fireworks display, pictured in 2022, impacts wildlife and residents. Local advocates made the request to council members in February to stop the fireworks display and move the drone show away from wildlife habitat at Carrie Blake Community Park. (Michael Dashiell/Olympic Peninsula News Group file)
Sequim City Council to discuss fireworks

Grassroots group advocates for changes

Interact Club members fill jugs and buckets in the Dungeness River for the annual Walk for Water event on March 1. They walk about 4 miles roundtrip to symbolize how far some people must go for drinking water. They raised more than $5,000 to help build a well in a Ghana village. (John Pehrson)
Sequim High students raise money through Walk for Water

Interact Club helps fund another well in Ghana

Rick Dickinson.
Clallam County Habitat for Humanity chosen for pilot program

Liaison part of efforts to address tribal communites’ needs

Weekly flight operations scheduled

There will be field carrier landing practice operations for aircraft… Continue reading

Milan Pohl of Port Angeles points out the features of a greenhouse he built to cover a portion of his plot at the Fifth Street Community Garden in Port Angeles. Pohl said on Friday that the greenhouse and a twin structure on an adjoining bed would be used to grow eggplant, peppers and other heat-loving plants. (Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News)
Community garden plot

Milan Pohl of Port Angeles points out the features of a greenhouse… Continue reading

x
Nominations open for Community Service awards

Forms due March 25; event scheduled for May 1

Influenza numbers trending down in Clallam, Jefferson counties

Public health officer says it’s not too late for vaccine

NOAA lease in Port Angeles on list of terminations

A lease held by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric… Continue reading

Tyler Leisten.
Leisten gradutes from basic law enforcement academy

Tyler Leisten has graduated from the Washington State Basic… Continue reading