AgdaPkt 2020-10-26 Joint SA PFA - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

8.B. - Page 3 of 48 has assessed the revenue potential, industry trends, best practices, and regional developments for the City's exploration of establishing retail cannabis storefronts in Redwood City. The company represents over 175 cities and counties in California for cannabis related services. HdL's Cannabis Management Team of professionals has over 46 years of direct experience establishing and implementing cannabis regulatory and taxation programs, including establishing land -use regulations, permit processes, staffing plans, cost recovery fees, regulatory compliance, financial audits and staff training. Furthermore, their staff has conducted over 16,000 cannabis compliance inspections and investigations in California, Colorado, and Nevada. In addition, HdL staff has reviewed, scored and processed over 2,200 cannabis business applications for California cities and counties in the last five years, which included reviewing pro -formas and other financial documents. Most recently, HDL assisted City staff with drafting the City's 2018 cannabis tax measure. On December 9, 2019, with the assistance of HdL, staff presented a fiscal analysis report to the Finance and Audit Committee (FAC). The FAC members recommended staff undertake further public outreach to determine public opinion about allowing cannabis retail storefronts in the City. The Committee also asked staff to present a report to the City Council that identified potential impacts, policy issues, and the merits of allowing cannabis storefront retail operations. On August 24, 20201 City Council held a study session to receive information and provide staff with feedback on whether to develop zoning and Municipal Code ordinance amendments to allow for cannabis storefront retails. Staff asked Council for input on five questions: 1. Should the City permit up to six cannabis retail storefront businesses? 2. Should cannabis retail storefront businesses be permitted to conduct delivery services as part of their cannabis business permit? 3. Should cannabis storefront retailers be permitted in all zoning districts allowing general retail? 4. Should retail storefront cannabis businesses be subject to the same city requirements established for non -storefront retail cannabis businesses? 5. Should retail storefront cannabis business applications be processed using a merit -based application process conducted by staff, or should the City Council be involved in the final decision or any appeal? Members of the City Council provided their thoughts on these five questions which responses are incorporated into the ordinance amendments under consideration and detailed below. There was support for amending City ordinances to permit retail cannabis storefront businesses in certain zoning districts in Redwood City, including the following recommendations: • Allow up to six storefront cannabis retailers • Allow storefront cannabis retailers to conduct deliveries • Classify storefront retail cannabis similarly to general retail. This approach would allow these businesses to be located in Redwood City's Zoning Districts in the same manner that general retail uses are allowed. In some situations, a Conditional Use Permit would be required if certain square footage thresholds are met, as identified elsewhere in this report. • Continue the 600 -foot buffer from sensitive uses Page 3 of 12 City of Redwood City 1017 Middlefield Road, Redwood City, CA. 94063 Tel: 650-780-7000 www.redwoodcity.ore 476