Public hearing upcoming on marijuana production, processing regulations

— from San Juan County Communications —

NOTICE OF A SAN JUAN COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION PUBLIC HEARING ON FRIDAY, JULY 17, 2020, AT THE COUNTY COUNCIL HEARING ROOM, LEGISLATIVE BUILDING, 55 SECOND STREET, FRIDAY HARBOR, SAN JUAN ISLAND BEGINNING AT OR AFTER  8:45 a.m. TO OBTAIN TESTIMONY ON AN ORDINANCE REGULATING MARIJUANA PRODUCTION AND PROCESSING FACILITIES; AMENDING SJCC 18.20.130, 18.30.030, 18.30.040, 18.30.460; AND ADDING NEW SECTIONS

The Planning Commission will take public testimony on the proposed marijuana production and processing development regulations.After taking testimony, the Planning Commission will deliberate on the proposal and make a recommendation regarding its adoption to County Council.  It is possible that the hearing will take place telephonically to comply with social distancing measures if they remain in effect through the hearing date.  Details for participating over the phone are provided below.  Notice will be posted to the County website if the hearing will be held in-person.

The proposal is intended to:

1. Adopt specific definitions of marijuana production and processing in the County’s development code.
2. Regulate marijuana production and processing as a specific use in the land use tables of the code. 
3. Establish performance and siting standards to address potential adverse impacts to the environment, natural resource lands, public safety, rural character and neighborhood compatibility.

The hearing will begin at or after 8:45 a.m. Friday, July 17, 2020, at the County Council Chambers, 55 Second Street, Friday Harbor, WA.  Interested parties are encouraged to submit written or oral comments regarding the staff recommendation. To view the hearing, visit this link. .

Copies of the ordinance and staff reports are posted online.  Please contact Adam Zack, Planner III, to request a hard copy of ordinance and staff reports.

HOW TO COMMENT: The official comment period is July 1, 2020 through July 17, 2020.  Written comments submitted prior to 12 p.m. on July 16, 2020, will be copied for the Planning Commission unless they wish to review comments online.  Please comment:

• Via Mail: Before the public hearing, mail written comments to Adam Zack, Department of Community Development (DCD) PO Box 947 Friday Harbor, WA 98250. 
• Via Email: Email comments to marijuanacomments@sanjuanco.com.  Title the subject line: Marijuana Ordinance.  For the record, include your full name and address.
• Via Oral Testimony: To join by phone, please call 1 (360) 370-780 and use the meeting ID 865694#. Comments during the hearing may be submitted by email at councilpc@sanjuanco.com.

Copies: Please provide twelve (12) copies of written comments if you submit them to DCD after 12:00 p.m. on July 16, 2020, or if you distribute written comments at the public hearing.