AgdaPkt 2011-10-10 - Laserfiche WebLink

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7.A. - Page 8 The uncertainty surrounding the impact of secondary adverse effects on police services could be further exacerbated by the "Realignment" of California State prisons, which went into effect on October 1, 2011. While the exact impact "Realignment" will have is unknown, the Police Department anticipates it will result in a higher demand on police services. The Police Department will be expected to assist San Mateo County Probation with monitoring recently released prisoners transferred from the state parole system to probation's jurisdiction. Additionally, the influx of convicted individuals from the state prisons to local custody in the county jails, which are already overcrowded, will necessarily result in other, lower level offenders being released before having served their full sentences. Adding the additional uncertain burden of regulating and policing medical marijuana dispensaries at the same the Police Department will be assuming additional responsibilities brought on by "Realignment" could limit Police Department resources available for other, more pressing public safety demands. Planning and Land Use Considerations The Planning Division initiated this Zoning Amendment to ban medical marijuana distribution facilities because significant concerns remain with respect to the establishment of inedical marijuana facilities as described above in this report. The legal framework and the clearly identified public safety challenges evident at this time affect the ability of Redwood City to establish an ordinance that will result in the successful operation of inedical marijuana distribution facilities without posing risk to public health and safety. In addition to these important areas of concern, Planning staff also note that potential land use compatibility issues should also be assessed as further described in the discussion that follows. City Planning staff are currently undergoing a substantial effort to implement zoning amendments following the October 2010 adoption of the City's General Plan. At this time, zoning for the Mixed Use Downtown (e.g. pursuant to the Downtown Precise Plan) and the Mixed Use Corridor land use designations has been completed. A consultant was recently obtained to assist with preparation of additional zoning amendments that will address the Mixed Use Neighborhood and Mixed Use Live Work land use designations, in addition to zoning for emergency and transitional housing pursuant to SB2. All of these recent completed efforts, as well as those forthcoming, affect the future location of residential development and contribute to the most pertinent components of the City's vision as put forth by the General Plan. Staff's study of ordinances allowing these facilities in other jurisdictions indicates that they are typically allowed in a limited number of light industrial and commercial areas. To that end, staff also notes that from informal discussions with retail developers, City economic development staff have learned that the presence of inedical marijuana distribution facilities can be a disincentive to retail attraction efforts. In the event that council seeks to consider allowing these facilities now or in the future, staff suggests that in depth follow up in this area be considered. Establishing an ordinance that would allow medical marijuana distribution facilities in light industrial or commercial zoning districts now, could result in future land use conflicts between residential development and distribution facilities because many of these areas will be rezoned in the near future to allow residential uses.