In an ironic twist of fate, a blooming agricultural product - grown in a heavy industrial area - could help spark local economic development.
Just off its heels of legalizing retail marijuana dispensaries, municipal leaders will now decide on how to proceed with a citizen's request to permit commercial grow operations at the Industrial Park. Held tonight at City Hall, the debate is included on the council's 7:30 p.m. agenda.
Initially posed to the seven-member body during public comments on Sept. 9, Cortez resident Ronald Wolfe believes limiting marijuana operations to commercial and central business districts handcuffs economic potential.
Wolfe was subsequently directed by city staff to present his case to planning and zoning officials on Oct. 7. He told P&Z officials he might pursue a business plan to grow cannabis in the industrial park,
Planning commissioners, although the typical entity to review such land-use proposals, ultimately deflected the issue back to the city council. They cited an ad-hoc committee had been formed by the council to make the decision, according to a memo from planning and building director Kirsten Sackett.
Included in her two-page note on Oct. 14, Sackett indicated concerns regarding 1,500-ft. zoning setbacks "may be moot."
Also tonight, the city council is listed to hold a discussion in executive session about the sale of city property at the industrial park. Its unknown if the meeting planned behind closed doors is related to Wolfe's request.
On Oct. 1, a state law requiring ganjapreneurs to grow 70 percent of what they sold expired.
In a 5-2 decision, a municipal ordinance to regulate cannabis sales at the retail level was adopted in Cortez on Aug. 25.
tbaker@cortezjournal.com