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MEDICAL MARIJUANA RULES COME BEFORE DOUGLAS CITY COUNCIL

Douglas - The Douglas city council will take another look at proposed regulations of medical marijuana -- two years after the process to draft the guidelines began.

A special workshop meeting is set for 6 p.m.  Monday at city hall, 86 W.  Center St., to talk about the ordinance and licensing of medical marijuana activities.  The council could take the first step to approving the proposals at its 7 p.m.  meeting.

The city does not have a zoning rule for caregivers and growers, said Ryan Kilpatrick, director of community development.  The proposal creates a medical marijuana overlay district that allows operations on commercial zones along Blue Star Highway, mostly south of Center Street, and in light industrial districts on the south side of the city.

Planners did consider allowing caregivers to operate out of their homes, but concerns over traffic, building safety and crime made it clear the activity was commercial in nature, Kilpatrick said.

Medical marijuana operations have "potential adverse secondary impacts," according to the ordinance, including an increase in criminal activity, robbery and burglaries.

The proposed ordinance forbids medical marijuana sites from being within 50 feet of any residential zoning districts, within 1,000 feet of a school, nursery or daycare, within 500 feet of a church, library, public park, "historic area" of the city or another medical marijuana site.

Under these guidelines, a minimum of four sites and a maximum of eight could be developed, Kilpatrick said.

Anyone starting a medical marijuana operation will have to come before the planning commission for a special use permit.

A second part of the proposal deals with licensing of caregivers and growers.

"Just like a restaurant, they have to get a license -- all our businesses have to have a license," Kilpatrick said.

The license would be for one year and include a description of how the applicant plans to keep the marijuana in an enclosed and locked facility.

Holland allows caregivers to be a home-based business but limits where a caregiver can set up shop.  Holland Township allows caregivers in residential areas only.

Saugatuck city and Laketown and Saugatuck townships do not have ordinances.

State voters approved the use of marijuana for a medical use in 2008.  Douglas voters had the highest approval rating in Allegan County for the legalization -- 79 percent in support.

Douglas first addressed the possibility of a medical marijuana facility in July 2010.  The person who proposed the caregiver operation has since moved out of the city.  The city's moratorium on medical marijuana facilities expired Oct.  12.

The Douglas city council will take another look at proposed regulations of medical marijuana -- two years after the process to draft the guidelines began.

A special workshop meeting is set for 6 p.m.  Monday at city hall, 86 W.  Center St., to talk about the ordinance and licensing of medical marijuana activities.  The council could take the first step to approving the proposals at its 7 p.m.  meeting.

The city does not have a zoning rule for caregivers and growers, said Ryan Kilpatrick, director of community development.  The proposal creates a medical marijuana overlay district that allows operations on commercial zones along Blue Star Highway, mostly south of Center Street, and in light industrial districts on the south side of the city.

Planners did consider allowing caregivers to operate out of their homes, but concerns over traffic, building safety and crime made it clear the activity was commercial in nature, Kilpatrick said.

Medical marijuana operations have "potential adverse secondary impacts," according to the ordinance, including an increase in criminal activity, robbery and burglaries.

The proposed ordinance forbids medical marijuana sites from being within 50 feet of any residential zoning districts, within 1,000 feet of a school, nursery or daycare, within 500 feet of a church, library, public park, "historic area" of the city or another medical marijuana site.

Under these guidelines, a minimum of four sites and a maximum of eight could be developed, Kilpatrick said.

Anyone starting a medical marijuana operation will have to come before the planning commission for a special use permit.

A second part of the proposal deals with licensing of caregivers and growers.

"Just like a restaurant, they have to get a license -- all our businesses have to have a license," Kilpatrick said.

The license would be for one year and include a description of how the applicant plans to keep the marijuana in an enclosed and locked facility.

Holland allows caregivers to be a home-based business but limits where a caregiver can set up shop.  Holland Township allows caregivers in residential areas only.

Saugatuck city and Laketown and Saugatuck townships do not have ordinances.

State voters approved the use of marijuana for a medical use in 2008.  Douglas voters had the highest approval rating in Allegan County for the legalization - 79 percent in support.

Douglas first addressed the possibility of a medical marijuana facility in July 2010.  The person who proposed the caregiver operation has since moved out of the city.  The city's moratorium on medical marijuana facilities expired Oct.  12.