Kenai City Council members Wednesday unanimously approved changes aimed at expanding how the city notifies residents of a commercial marijuana establishment opening in their area.
Legislation passed during the council’s Wednesday meeting says that the city must notify at least 30 property owners around the proposed site of a new commercial marijuana establishment. Existing city code says the city only needs to notify property owners within a 500 foot periphery of the proposed site.
The same ordinance newly prohibits limited marijuana cultivation facilities in Kenai’s residential zoning districts. Currently, limited cultivation facilities are permitted with a conditional use permit in the city’s rural residential, suburban residential and urban residential districts.
Ordinance sponsors James Baisden and Alex Douthit wrote in a June 13 memo to council members that prohibiting limited marijuana cultivation facilities in residential zoning districts will “preserve and protect” the intent of those districts, and ensure consistency with sections of city code that doesn’t allow commercial marijuana businesses to operate out of someone’s home.
“Residents have expressed concerns with the proximity of commercial marijuana cultivation facilities near residential neighborhoods and not receiving notices of proposed commercial marijuana cultivation facilities nearby their residence,” Douthit and Baisden wrote.
Baisden said during Wednesday’s meeting that…
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