Title
a. Discuss and provide direction regarding proposed amendments to Monterey County Code Titles 20.69 and 21.69 extending the sunset date of the Outdoor Commercial Cannabis Cultivation Pilot Program and removing the requirement that an applicant provide proof of cannabis cultivation on the site prior to January 1, 2016; and
b. Receive an update on operating costs and estimated tax revenues resulting from proposed amendments to the Outdoor Commercial Cannabis Cultivation Pilot Program; and
c. Provide further direction as appropriate.
Report
RECOMMENDATIONS:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors:
a. Discuss and provide direction regarding proposed amendments to Monterey County Code Titles 20.69 and 21.69 extending the sunset date of the Outdoor Commercial Cannabis Cultivation Pilot Program and removing the requirement that an applicant provide proof of cannabis cultivation on the site prior to January 1, 2016; and
b. Receive an update on incremental costs and estimated tax revenues resulting from proposed amendments to the Outdoor Commercial Cannabis Cultivation Pilot Program; and
c. Provide further direction as appropriate.
SUMMARY:
In June 2019, the Board of Supervisors (Board) adopted an Ordinance that added Chapters 20.69 and 21.69 to the Monterey County Code (MCC) and established a five-year Outdoor Commercial Cannabis Cultivation Pilot Program (Pilot Program). In May 2021, in response to the challenges outdoor cultivators were facing in applying for the required land use permits, the Board amended Chapters 20.69 and 21.69 of MCC to: 1) extend the Pilot Program an additional three years; 2) add Permanent Grazing as an allowable zoning type within the Cachagua Area Plan; 3) increase the canopy limit from 10,000 to 20,000 square feet; and 4) reduce setbacks from the nearest offsite structure from 500 feet to 250 feet, with the ability for the review authority to grant exceptions to these setbacks upon making certain findings.
The Pilot Program w...
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