PC 07.a. 05-31-16 Draft Minutes
Draft
ACTION MINUTES
SPECIAL MEETING OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION
TUESDAY, MAY 31, 2016
COUNCIL CHAMBERS, 215 EAST BRANCH STREET
ARROYO GRANDE, CALIFORNIA
1. CALL TO ORDER
Chair George called the Regular Planning Commission meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
2. ROLL CALL
Planning Commission: Commissioners John Keen, Glenn Martin, Terry Fowler-Payne, John
Mack, and Lan George were present.
Staff Present: Community Development Director Teresa McClish, Police Chief Steve
Annibali, David Hirsch, and Secretary Debbie Weichinger were
present.
3. FLAG SALUTE
Commissioner Fowler-Payne led the flag salute.
4. AGENDA REVIEW
None
5. COMMUNITY COMMENTS AND SUGGESTIONS
None
6. WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS
The Commission received the following material after preparation of the agenda:
1. Email dated May 27, 2016 from Judith Berstein regarding Agenda Item 8.a.
7. CONSENT AGENDA
7.a. Consideration of Approval of Minutes.
None
8. PUBLIC HEARINGS
8.a. CONSIDERATION OF DEVELOPMENT CODE AMENDMENT CASE NO. 16-002;
AMENDING TITLES 5 AND 16 OF THE ARROYO GRANDE MUNICIPAL CODE RELATING
TO MEDICAL MARIJUANA CULTIVATION AND MEDICAL MARIJUANA DELIVERY
SERVICES
Community Development Director McClish presented the staff report and recommended that the
Planning Commission adopt a Resolution recommending that the City Council adopt an ordinance
amending Sections 16.62.010 and 16.62.050 of Title 16 of the Arroyo Grande Municipal Code
relating to medical marijuana cultivation and amending Section 16.62.070 and adding Chapter 5.95
to title 5 relating to deliveries of medical marijuana or medical cannabis products.
Community Development Director McClish, City Attorney Hirsch, and Police Chief Annibali
responded to questions from the Commission.
Chair George opened the public hearing.
Patty Welch, spoke in support of the proposed medical marijuana cultivation and medical marijuana
delivery services ordinance.
PLANNING COMMISSION PAGE 2
MINUTES
MAY 31, 2016
Cindy Gonzalez, Vice President/General Manager of EliteCareSF, stated that EliteCareSF is a
delivery company for medical marijuana to ill patients, explained the process of how deliveries are
made and responded to questions/comments from the Commission that included: what is the
delivery charge, why is the medical marijuana not sold in drug stores/pharmacies, concern with the
drivers age of 18 may be too young, concern with safety of driver, and explained the compounds in
the marijuana.
Attorney Hirsch explained the selection/criteria process for three delivery companies.
Tami Peluso, owner/President, EliteCareSF, stated the following: the delivery process is discrete,
the medicine comes from the bay area, three delivery companies are sufficient for this size of a
City, doctors provide a list of cannabis delivery companies to their patients, and responded to
questions from the Commission.
Hearing no further comments, Chair George closed the public hearing.
Commissioner Keen stated state that the 1,000 foot radius would limit medical marijuana deliveries;
limiting the medical marijuana to three delivery companies may create a “monopoly”; and does not
want the delivery process set up so that it prohibits competition.
Action: Commissioner Martin moved to adopt a resolution entitled “A RESOLUTION OF THE
PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF ARROYO GRANDE RECOMMENDING THAT THE
CITY COUNCIL AMEND SECTIONS 16.62.010 AND 16.62.050 OF THE ARROYO GRANDE
MUNICIPAL CODE RELATING TO MEDICAL MARIJUANA CULTIVATION AND AMENDING
SECTION 16.62.270 AND ADDING CHAPTER 5.95 TO TITLE 5 OF THE ARROYO GRANDE
MUNICIPAL CODE RELATING TO MEDICAL MARIJUANA DELIVERY SERVICES”, with specific
review of the 1,000 feet radius of any public or private school, public library, etc. and the age of the
delivery driver being 18 years old.
9. NON-PUBLIC HEARING ITEM
None
10. NOTICE OF ADMINISTRATIVE DECISIONS SINCE MAY 17 , 2016
This is a notice of administrative decision for Minor Use Permits, including any approvals,
denials or referrals by the Community Development Director. An administrative decision must
be appealed or called up for review by the Planning Commission by a majority vote.
None
11. COMMISSION COMMUNICATIONS
In answer to Commissioner Fowler-Payne, Community Development Director McClish stated the
“Innovative Parking Strategies for Affordable Housing” webinar scheduled for June 7th and is a
different subject than what was presented at the April 7th meeting.
Chair George stated she received comments regarding the festival positive/negative. Director
McClish gave the following updates on the Strawberry Festival: there is a debrief scheduled for the
June 1st PRE-SAC meeting, at which time staff will receive comments; staff will be holding a
workshop, tentatively scheduled for June 23rd; and there was a survey done this year regarding the
festival and economic development. Chair George suggested for the future, to shorten the survey
as it was too long.
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MINUTES
MAY 31, 2016
Commissioner Fowler-Payne asked why the vendors are not allowed to leave their structures up on
the City right of way on East Branch Street. Director McClish stated this comment will be taken to
PRE-SAC. Commissioner Fowler-Payne also stated the vendors were more carnival.
12. STAFF COMMUNICATIONS
None
13. ADJOURNMENT
On motion by Commissioner George, seconded by Commissioner Keen and unanimously carried,
the meeting adjourned at 7:46 p.m.
ATTEST:
DEBBIE WEICHINGER LAN GEORGE, CHAIR
SECRETARY TO THE PLANNING COMMISSION
(Approved at PC Meeting ______________)