Land Use & Environment Committee

City Hall Meeting Minutes 601 4th Avenue E Olympia, WA 98501 Land Use & Environment Committee Information: 360.753.8244 Thursday, November 19, 2015 5:30 PM Room 207 Room change from Council Chambers to Room 207 1. ROLL CALL Present: 3 - Chair Steve Langer, Committee member Julie Hankins and Committee member Jeannine Roe OTHERS PRESENT Community Planning and Development Director Keith Stahley Deputy Director Leonard Bauer Lead Code Enforcement Officer Chris Grabowski Assistant City Manager Jay Burney 2. CALL TO ORDER Chair Langer called the meeting to order at 5:31 p.m. 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 3.A 15-1013 Approval of September 24, 2015 Meeting Minutes The minutes were approved. 3.B 15-1121 Approval of October 22, 2015 Land Use and Environment Committee Meeting Minutes The minutes were approved. 4. COMMITTEE BUSINESS 4.A 15-1092 Community Planning and Development (CPD) Work Program Update Mr. Bauer gave an update on the CPD Work Program. Due to an increase in the number of permits CPD is processing, the Council agreed to fund an additional Permit Specialist in 2016. The report was received. 4.B 15-1126 Proposed Zoning and Buffer Changes for Cannabis Land Uses City of Olympia Page 1 Land Use & Environment Meeting Minutes November 19, 2015 Committee Mr. Grabowski reviewed the proposed zoning and buffer changes for cannabis land uses. He presented the current marijuana zoning for the east and west areas of Olympia. Current zoning consists of High Density Corridor 4 (HDC-4) and General Commercial (GC) zones with a 1000 foot buffer. He presented a proposal with a zoning and buffer change that would add High Density Corridor 3 (HDC-3) and Medical Services (MS) zones with a 1000 foot buffer for both the east and west areas of Olympia, and a second proposal that would add HDC-3 and MS zones with a 500 foot buffer for both the east and west areas of Olympia. The following people from the public spoke: Rainier Express Volunteer Adam Cooper said Rainier Express, 322 4th Ave E, is a medical marijuana collective Downtown. He urged the Committee to reconsider allowing Rainier Express to remain in its downtown location because it is more accessible for veterans to use their services. He described a program called 22 Too Many, which is an organization committed to honoring veterans and active duty military who have died by suicide or due to a PTS (post-traumatic stress) related tragedy. 22 Too Many Treasurer Andrew Collins said he is the accountant for Rainier Express. He expressed concerns if they are forced to relocate. They are currently a "safe place" for those in distress to come and get help. They have been making efforts to find out from the young people who hang out at the Artesian Well Park what programs may help them if they are in need of help. Also they have helped out in cleaning up the Artesian Well Park. He agreed being downtown makes it more accessible for veterans to use their services. 22 Too Many member Wade Green spoke in favor of Rainier Express and 22 Too Many remaining downtown area for easy accessibility to veterans. Olympia Alternative Medicine owner Steve Moore, 2405 Harrison Ave, said his business is currently located in an HDC-3 zone. He spoke in favor of the addition of the HDC-3 zone to the current zoning plan and reducing the buffer to 500 feet. The Committee discussed comments and issues brought before them by the public. Committee member Hankins expressed concern about reducing the buffer and about adopting interim regulations without additional outreach to the land owners within affected areas and the public in general. Chair Langer moved, seconded by Committee member Roe, to recommend accepting the proposal of adding the HDC-3 and MS zones with a buffer reduction to 500 feet. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: 2 - Chair Langer and Committee member Roe Nay: 1 - Committee member Hankins City of Olympia Page 2 Land Use & Environment Meeting Minutes November 19, 2015 Committee 4.C 15-1122 Status Reports and Updates Committee members asked to have the new Downtown Liaison, Mark Rentfrow, attend the next meeting. The report was received. 5. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 7:17 p.m. City of Olympia Page 3