REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: GEORGEANNE WHITE, City Manager
Office of the Mayor & City Manager
BY: JENNIFER RUIZ, Project Manager
Office of the Mayor & City Manager
SUBJECT
Title
Actions pertaining to Commercial Cannabis Activity:
1. ***BILL- (For introduction) Amending Section 9-3307 of the Fresno Municipal Code, relating to the location of retail cannabis businesses (Subject to Mayor's Veto).
Body
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that City Council introduce the bill amending Sections 9-3307 of the Fresno Municipal Code, relating to the location of retail cannabis businesses.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The City Manager has issued preliminary permit approval for 20 cannabis retail permits, 2 cannabis cultivation permits, and 2 cannabis microbusiness permits.
This bill introduces language to address the even distribution of cannabis retail businesses per City Council District.
BACKGROUND
The City of Fresno opened the application process for Commercial Cannabis Business Permits beginning October 19, 2020. Applications were due December 4, 2020 for the standard application process. The City Manager has issued preliminary permit approval for 20 cannabis retail permits, 2 cannabis cultivation permits, and 2 cannabis microbusiness permits.
This bill introduces language to address the even distribution of cannabis retail businesses per City Council District. The new City Council District boundaries resulted in two cannabis retail applications, with preliminary approval, changing Districts. This amendment authorizes the cannabis businesses to remain at their proposed location, but will require any future new approvals to create an equal number of retail locations per District.
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS
Pursuant to California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines Section 15378, this item is not a project for the purposes of CEQA.
LOCAL PREFERENCE
Local preference was not considered because this is an amendment to an existing agreement.
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