Pubdate: Tue, 22 Feb 2011 Source: Denver Post (CO) Copyright: 2011 The Denver Post Corp Contact: http://www.denverpost.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/122 Author: Jeremy P. Meyer DENVER LEADERS JOCKEY ON MEDICAL POT WITH KEY VOTE SET FOR TUESDAY Denver's City Council continues to wrestle with a controversial zoning issue surrounding medical-marijuana grow facilities as it prepares to take the final vote tonight on new pot ordinances. The dispute has resulted in a threat of a lawsuit against one councilwoman, fears from business owners who believe the city is setting them up for closure and posturing by council members running for higher office. The vote tonight on an ordinance that would set new licensing procedures and requirements may face a hitch if an amendment is floated over the most controversial aspect - hearings required for 52 grow facilities that set up shop in locations where the zoning has changed. Hearings will begin in two years to determine whether the facilities are a nuisance and could lead to their being shut down. Facility owners have argued that the uncertainty of what will occur in two years puts their businesses at risk. "Why would we invest in nearly $500,000 in upgrades to be put out of business in two years?" asked Danielle Hurley, owner of Riverside Wellness Marijuana Center, which has a grow facility. Councilman Doug Linkhart said Monday that he may put up an amendment, if he believes he has the votes, to change the timeline to four years. Last week, a similar amendment failed 7-6, but council members have been lobbying one another to change votes. "These companies have invested hundreds of thousands of dollars and hired dozens of employees. There is no negative effect," Linkhart said. "To me, it's about jobs." Much of the debate has been focused on one grow facility in the River North neighborhood - a large warehouse that some people believe is holding back redevelopment of the area. The owners of the grow operation say they have done nothing wrong and that they simply leased an empty warehouse and started a business. On Thursday, they sent notice that they intend to sue Councilwoman Judy Montero, developer Mickey Zeppelin and former Councilwoman Susan Barnes-Gelt, seeking $1.5 million in damages and alleging that the three are working together to run the business out of operation. Assistant City Attorney David Broadwell said that "the claims, at least insofar as they are directed at Councilwoman Montero, are completely devoid of any merit." - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake