Pubdate: Tue, 07 May 2013
Source: Appeal-Democrat (Marysville, CA)
Copyright: 2013 Appeal-Democrat
Contact: 
http://www.appeal-democrat.com/sections/services/forms/editorletter.php
Website: http://www.appeal-democrat.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1343
Author: Griffin Rogers

MARIJUANA ORDINANCE ON YUBA CITY COUNCIL MEETING AGENDA

Restrictions on medical marijuana cultivation may become a permanent 
piece of Yuba City's municipal code tonight if City Council members 
approve an ordinance that has been in development for more than a year.

Under the regulation, people growing medical marijuana in their homes 
are required to install security fences and carbon infiltration 
systems that reduce the smell. Plants must be trimmed so they are 
hidden from public view, and growers are required to register with the city.

"There is still a debate out there about whether it (medical 
marijuana) should be allowed or not," said Community Development 
Director Aaron Busch, "but I think the city is out here trying to 
create a win-win situation for both sides."

The issue was brought before the city by concerned residents in 2011, 
when a petition was presented to council members asking them to ban 
cultivation in city limits, Busch said.

After working with both sides for several months, city staff drafted 
an ordinance that would allow residents to grow under a set of 
criteria. Among them were registration requirements, security and 
filtration requirements, set back and buffer requirements, and 
restrictions to the size and location of the crop.

The rules became effective March 6, 2012, after the council approved 
a temporary one-year ordinance.

With the restrictions now brought back before the city, the Planning 
Commission approved to adopt the restrictions on a 5-1-1 vote at a 
April 24 meeting. Council members tonight will decide if they want to 
do the same.

"I hope there's no surprises," Busch said. "I think it's a good 
ordinance, and I hope both sides see that."

Since the ordinance went into effect last year, city staff has 
responded to about 40 compliance complaints, he said, but only 25 
were considered valid.

In the same time, about 26 people have registered as medical 
marijuana growers, he said. However, only a third of those did so 
voluntarily. The majority registered as the city responded to smell 
or other complaints.

[sidebar]

Know & Go:

WHAT: Yuba City's City Council meeting

WHEN: 6 p.m. Tuesday.

WHERE: 1201 Civic Center Blvd., Yuba City
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom