Fwd: Skagit County Permanent Regulations for Marijuana Facilities - How to Comment
Ellen Bynum
Date: May 21, 2015 1:41:25 PM PDTTo: sk...@cnw.comSubject: Permanent Regulations for Marijuana Facilities - How to CommentReply-To: Do_not...@skagitcounty.netBelow is information and how to comment regarding a proposal to amend the County's development code to regulate the location of marijuana production, processing, and retail facilities.
Proposal Information
Publish date:
May 21, 2015
Proposal name:
Permanent Regulations for Marijuana Facilities
Documents available at:
Lead Agency:
Skagit County Planning & Development Services
Contact Person:
Dale Pernula, AICP, Director
SEPA Responsible Official:
Dale Pernula, AICP, Director
Public hearing body:
Skagit County Board of County Commissioners
Public hearing date:
Tuesday, June 16, 2015, at 8:30 a.m.
Written comment deadline:
Thursday, June 18, 2015, at 4:30 p.m.
Proposal Description
A legislative proposal to amend the County’s development code to regulate the location of marijuana production, processing, and retail facilities. Marijuana production and processing would be characterized as an industrial use, not an agricultural use. Marijuana facilities not holding a Liquor Control Board license, including medical marijuana collective gardens and cooperatives, would be prohibited. Personal growing of medical marijuana at home, consistent with state law, would be allowed. Outdoor growing, and growing in greenhouses, could be prohibited. Production and processing could require a 400-ft setback from any residence not owned by the facility operator. Production, processing, and retail facilities would only be allowed in specified zones. No production or processing would be allowed on Guemes Island. All production and processing facilities would be required to control odors and limit security cameras to only the facility property. The proposal also lists impacts that must be considered for special use permits, where required.
A full description of the proposal is available in the staff report at the website above.
SEPA Threshold Determination
Skagit County has determined that this proposal does not have a probable significant adverse impact on the environment. An environmental impact statement is not required under the State Environmental Policy Act, RCW 43.21C.030(2)(c). This determination was made after review of a completed environmental checklist and other information on file with the lead agency and available upon request.
This determination is issued pursuant to WAC 197-11-340(2). Skagit County will not act on this proposal for fourteen calendar days from the date of issuance. Written comments regarding this Determination of Nonsignificance must be submitted by the deadline above and in the same manner as other comments. Pursuant to SCC 14.12.210, no administrative appeal process is available for this legislative action.
How to Comment
Comments are accepted via email or on paper. All comments must be received by the deadline and include (1) your full name, (2) your mailing address, and (3) the proposal name (“Permanent Regulations for Marijuana Facilities”) in the subject line. Comments not meeting these requirements will not be considered.
Email comments are preferred and must be sent to pdsco...@co.skagit.wa.us. Include your comments in the body of your email message rather than as attachments.
Paper comments must be printed on 8½x11 paper and mailed or delivered to:
Comments on proposed “Permanent Regulations for Marijuana Facilities”
Planning and Development Services
1800 Continental Place, Mount Vernon WA 98273You may also comment in person at the public hearing at the Commissioners Hearing Room, 1800 Continental Place, Mount Vernon. Public hearing testimony is usually limited to three minutes, so written comments are preferred.
Anyone who plans to attend the public hearing and has special needs or disabilities should contact the Clerk of the Board of County Commissioners at (360) 336-9300 at least 96 hours before the hearing to discuss and arrange any special accommodations.