Title
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Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended the Board Cannabis Committee:
a. Receive a status report on the Retirement, Remediation and Relocation (RRR) incentive concept;
b. Consider options for the development of a program; and
c. Provide direction to staff as appropriate.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
On January 22, 2020, staff presented an overview of the Humboldt County Retirement, Remediation and Relocation (RRR) program, its criteria, and requirements to qualify. Staff was directed to continue its research for Monterey County and present the Committee with additional information and options to discuss and consider.
Staff continued research and identified the following.
1. The concept of a retirement, remediation and relocation process for the Monterey County Cannabis Program (Program) could be vastly different from Humboldt County.
a. Monterey County did not require registration of existing cultivators at the outset of cannabis regulation efforts.
b. RRR represents a much bigger opportunity in Humboldt County with site proposals totaling relocation maximums of over 500,000 sq. ft, while the amount for sites satisfying the proposed criteria for an RRR program in Monterey County total just 24,000 sq. ft.
2. Staff considered several options to formulate possible criteria for an RRR Program. Staff recommends the Committee consider the following criteria:
a. Property owner applied for and was issued a building permit to construct a greenhouse before January 1, 2016.
b. The property owner would need to provide proof of cannabis taxes paid during the period of July 2016 - June 2018.
c. Property owner would be allowed an exception to relocate the greenhouse structure to an allowable cannabis zoning area.
a. The transferred permit would represent the original footprint of the greenhouse(s)
b. The relocation site will not be allowed to begin to operate while diligently pursuing all required.
The development of an RRR Program in Monterey County would require further program development and amendments to Titles 20 and 21 to allow for an exception to be granted. To the extent that the Resource Management Agency is involved in program development, this effort would compete with current RMA priorities such as implementation of the 2010 General Plan, Short-term rental ordinance, Accessory Dwelling unit ordinance, Moss Landing Community Plan development, Big Sur Land Use Plan updates, and permit processing. Staff request direction from the Committee on next steps.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
The Cannabis Program, Office of the County Counsel, and Resource Management Agency were involved in the preparation of this report and the identification of parcels and any land use or investigative activity on such parcels.
FINANCING:
Monterey County’s Cannabis Program is funded in County Administrative Office - Department 1050, Intergovernmental and Legislative Affairs Division - Unit 8054, Cannabis. By approval of this report, it will not incur additional expenses to the Program.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS STRATEGIC INITIATIVES:
The Monterey County Cannabis Program addresses each of the Strategic Initiative Policy Areas that promote the growth of a responsible and legal Monterey County cannabis industry.
Mark a check to the related Board of Supervisors Strategic Initiatives
X Economic Development
X Administration
X Health & Human Services
X Infrastructure
X Public Safety
Prepared by: Myles Echenique, Cannabis Analyst, x3032
Reviewed by: Joann Iwamoto, Cannabis Program Manager, x3017
Reviewed by: Kelly Donlon, Deputy County Counsel
Approved by: Nicholas E. Chiulos, Assistant CAO, x5145