Title
Public hearing to consider the following:
a. Receive a report on the Outdoor Commercial Cannabis Cultivation Pilot Program (Chapters 20.69 and 21.69 of the Monterey County Code); and
b. Provide direction to staff.
(Monterey County Outdoor Commercial Cannabis Cultivation Pilot Program, Carmel Valley, Cachagua, and Big Sur)
Presenter: Craig Spencer, Director, Housing and Community Development
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PROJECT INFORMATION:
Planning File Number: REF150048
Project Location: County-wide
Plan Area: Carmel Valley, Cachagua, Big Sur
CEQA Action: Not a project
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors:
a. Receive a report on Outdoor Commercial Cannabis Cultivation Pilot Program (Chapters 20.69 and 21.69 of the Monterey County Code); and
b. Direct staff to prepare an ordinance with updates to the outdoor cannabis cultivation regulations.
SUMMARY:
On June 18, 2019, the Board of Supervisors adopted Ordinance Nos. 5311 and 5312 adding Chapters 21.69 (inland) and 20.69 (coastal) to the Monterey County Code and creating a pilot program for limited outdoor commercial cannabis cultivation in the Big Sur, Carmel Valley, and Cachagua plan areas within Supervisorial District 5, and only on lots that could provide proof that they historically cultivated cannabis (herein referred to as the “Pilot Program”). On May 18, 2021, the Board adopted ordinances updating the Pilot Program to allow outdoor cannabis cultivation in the grazing land zoning districts of the Chachagua Area Plan, to extend the pilot program from 5 years to 8 years, to reduce the setback required from the nearest offsite structure from 500 feet to 250 feet, and to increase the maximum allowable canopy from 10,000 square feet to 20,000 square feet.
The Pilot Program is set to expire June 18, 2027; eight years from June 18, 2019. Prior to its expiration, staff is returning to the Cannabis Committee for an update on the status of implementation of the Pilot Program and to seek direction fro...
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