Title
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING DIVISION 2 OF ARTICLE II OF CHAPTER 8 OF THE COMMERCE CITY REVISED MUNICIPAL CODE PERTAINING TO MARIJUANA BUSINESSES BY ADDING NEW LIMITS ON THE NUMBER OF RECREATIONAL AND MEDICAL RETAIL STORES ALLOWED IN THE CITY
Body
Summary and Background Information:
On May 13, 2024, the City Clerk presented an overview of the marijuana moratorium that was enacted in 2023 and set to expire on July 31, 2024. During the study session, the City Council expressed interest in extending the moratorium so a number of items related to the licensing and regulation of marijuana stores such as the installation of concrete bollards to prevent vehicle break-ins, increased security standards for the storage of products, and exploring potential caps on the number of stores in the City.
On July 15, 2024, City Council passed Ordinance 2567. This ordinance extended the moratorium on new retail and medical marijuana store license in Wards I and II in the City by another six months to allow staff to continue to explore the ideas proposed above. Staff has found examples of other cities that have limited or capped the number of stores within their cities. Staff proposed draft regulations on limiting the number of stores in the City split between two geographic regions. The regions were split along 96th Avenue and Havana St, with each region being limited to no more than 8 stores. During the November 25, 2024 presentation, Council favored capping the number of stores to 4 in each area. Additionally, Council wanted the areas to be split by 96th Avenue to Buckley Road, and then south along Buckley Road until 80th Avenue, and then east along 80th Avenue.
Co-located licenses (one location that has both a recreational retail store and a medical retail store license) count as 1 license towards the cap and no licenses for a retail store can be issued until the number of stores drops to 3 or fewer.
Staff Responsible (Department Head): Dylan A. Gibson, City Clerk
Staff Member Presenting: Dylan A. Gibson, City Clerk
Financial Impact: None.
Funding Source: N/A
Staff Recommendation: Approve the ordinance
Suggested Motion: I move to introduce Ordinance 2625 by Council as seated and approve on first reading.