[{"_1":2,"_98":-5,"_99":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,86],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6530040,"mediaKeyId","3741368-8cb83c082619b64411bb7c96cf9acf50","parentId",3741368,"title","Rockville adopts zoning change to allow retail cannabis sales, including drive‑thru option","audioSeconds",876,"startMs",1220000,"endMs",2096000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3741368-8cb83c082619b64411bb7c96cf9acf50&start=1220&end=2096","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3741368-8cb83c082619b64411bb7c96cf9acf50/thumbnail_1220000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6530040/Rockville-City/Montgomery-County/Maryland/Rockville-adopts-zoning-change-to-allow-retail-cannabis-sales-including-drivethru-option","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6530040-ecaf48d31f1ed09f5351d0381881417d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771206964&Signature=o85DI~8AFiKL2QRvL0~he~G2jK5CyqQyO01Eq2TdFAcmkktw0fzASEdQhuyJnAfFzxNTdGDopd3NOrXTvMGD9cOdTnBcgKo1CiO2rX8D1YJTt6H9iT8M9whfY6fWLZGUHOJRLuCdofAg~bmvqQk~FFoRNu3sFZT~aktoioVZV~3FnkGMMsMl7Cn4NUTgXDKyEpgH4iL47e6GMydlFynvtvIV-b77R-xjztnGp0MsPztKoWaXmFPf7DTUeqHXUid6X7Y9yF9Ow8HQkivD~bbv0Kg5OY6DHial6M-dMo1P4wsPQKM-92l-ySizQEcG-3dPxIz51PHpj-QVPtXztuWUMA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Rockville","date","2025-06-09T00:00:00Z","article","The Rockville Mayor and Council on June 9 adopted a zoning text amendment (TXT 2025‑270) to permit establishments that include retail sale of cannabis for personal use as a conditional use in areas where retail is allowed, and to allow cannabis dispensaries with drive‑through service under specified conditions.

The change, introduced by Council Member Larry and adopted after a public hearing and a waived layover period, codifies separation distances in line with state law and makes both standard dispensaries and dispensaries with drive‑through service conditional uses in the city code.

The amendment was explained at length by Jim Wasilek of the city planning staff, who told the council the zoning text amendment would “add cannabis dispensaries as a conditional use in areas where retail use is permitted in the city.” Wasilek said the draft codifies the separation requirements in state law — 500 feet from designated sensitive uses such as parks, schools and places of worship, and 1,000 feet between dispensaries — and noted that Montgomery County is separately considering a 100‑foot separation between dispensaries and residential properties.

Steve Van Grama, a resident and public commenter, urged the council to allow drive‑through service, saying his contacts in the cannabis industry had found drive‑through configurations that had previously been used by banks or pharmacies and that similar accommodations would expand access. \"I suggest to you that there's a question here as to whether a drive through is acceptable for a cannabis dispensary... we think a drive through should be acceptable for a cannabis dispensary,\" Van Grama told the council during the hearing.

John Becker, who identified himself as a member of the board of directors of Safe Roads Maryland, also spoke during public comment in favor of the planning commission recommendation and encouraged Rockville to support statewide stop‑sign monitoring legislation (an item discussed separately on the agenda).

Council discussion touched on separation distances, whether required distances are measured from building or property lines, how the city will enforce state licensing requirements and whether on‑site consumption would be permitted. Wasilek said the draft ZTA does not include a local prohibition on on‑site consumption; he noted that on‑site consumption licensing and enforcement is handled by the Maryland Cannabis Administration and that state rules on driving under the influence remain in effect.

Council Member Vallejo moved to adopt TXT 2025‑270 as introduced, with Councilwoman Jackson seconding. The council voted in favor; the roll call vote and individual member votes were not read into the record, but the clerk announced the result as 6–1 in favor. Councilwoman Jackson stated on the record that she would vote against the on‑site consumption allowance while supporting the remainder of the ordinance.

The ordinance includes (a) standard cannabis dispensaries as a conditional use where retail is allowed, (b) cannabis dispensaries with drive‑through service as a conditional use subject to the same separation distances and additional on‑site traffic circulation requirements similar to pharmacy drive‑throughs, and (c) codification of the state separation distances (500 feet from certain sensitive uses; 1,000 feet between dispensaries). Wasilek noted some additional local flexibility granted by recent state legislation but said the council had directed staff to proceed with the state distances in the adopted draft.

What happens next: the city will implement the zoning amendment into the Rockville City Code and, as with any conditional use, applicants will need to apply for conditional‑use approvals and state licensing. Wasilek and staff said enforcement of zoning separations will be handled by city zoning staff; licensing and on‑site consumption oversight fall to the Maryland Cannabis Administration.

Votes at a glance: TXT 2025‑270 (add cannabis dispensaries, allow drive‑throughs) — Motion to adopt: Council Member Vallejo; Second: Councilwoman Jackson; Outcome: adopted (6–1). The record does not include a full roll‑call by name beyond the single dissent noted above.

Proper names and authorities referenced in the meeting are listed below.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Rockville - Mayor and Council Meeting - June 9, 2025 (Meeting No. 16-25) - Jun 09, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Rockville Mayor and Council on June 9 adopted a zoning text amendment (TXT 2025‑270) to permit retail cannabis sales, including dispensaries with drive‑through service, codifying state separation distances and leaving licensing and on‑site‑consumption enforcement to state authorities.","taxTitle","Rockville City, Montgomery County, Maryland","taxId",9268,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6530030,"Rockville selects three priorities for Maryland Municipal League legislative packet: stop‑sign monitoring, highway user revenue and regional transit authority",0,9002000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3741368-8cb83c082619b64411bb7c96cf9acf50&start=9002&end=9002","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3741368-8cb83c082619b64411bb7c96cf9acf50/thumbnail_9002000.jpg","/articles/6530030/Rockville-City/Montgomery-County/Maryland/Rockville-selects-three-priorities-for-Maryland-Municipal-League-legislative-packet-stopsign-monitoring-highway-user-revenue-and-regional-transit-authority","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6530030-77c33c87bc51fb72dba6ca960bf99458/orig.mp4?Expires=1771206964&Signature=cRkXEUsBhR8udYVF9-nDTBjRlOqfr24H9FkxS7M3Mv7YUnTLgCvDjLF8Hzix2w2~G1hGQc6ZoXXXlomGO2145reY~eO8DK84M20Auc9ANj4xc4cjXEbxtdiBbmGTUpn6gXFqkijRiMcYtU7wpsl9zaAPyVgvsXylWAvzDn5RqlOFgGyuFYUL7v7Up-Xs6ViPaM82uc44YUImSA-r5Pjcasa43dyEDZcLQ6Uc6okD0B95Hw1c0DYPESgHpj0Cr1xAwUF4cPcvoQghDF-OpLe93GqFFEfiYh2AveijchRG0fUmzCWozS4RZgQe06TjYWxz8BTTHX6xR19UeDsWUlkqeA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Rockville Mayor and Council on June 9 approved three priorities to submit to the Maryland Municipal League for the 2026 legislative agenda: (1) statewide stop‑sign monitoring legislation for school zones and similar high‑risk locations, (2) preservation and protection of municipal highway user revenues and police aid, and (3) support for regional transportation authority legislation.

Linda Moran, staff presenter for the item, asked the council to select up to three MML legislative action requests for formal submission; staff had identified four candidates in the briefing (the fourth concerned admissions and amusement tax legislation). The council chose priorities 2, 3 and 4 from the packet (stop‑sign monitoring; highway user revenue and police aid preservation; regional transportation authority) and instructed staff to submit them to MML by the July 1 deadline and to incorporate them into the city’s broader state legislative priorities program for the fall.

Council members emphasized safety and local funding stability during the discussion. John Becker, who earlier testified on stop‑sign monitoring, had told the council he supports statewide legislation to allow automated monitoring systems to deter and measure stop‑sign running near schools and parks. Mayor and council members noted local concerns about drivers rolling through stop signs and said they wanted to pursue legislative and operational responses — including data‑driven pilot approaches and increased directed traffic enforcement by Rockville Police Department — while recognizing state statutory and implementation complexities.

The council voted to forward the three selected items to MML; Council Member Fulton moved to adopt the three priorities, Council Member Van Grama seconded, and the motion passed by voice vote.

What happens next: staff will submit the three selected legislative action requests to the Maryland Municipal League by the July 1 deadline and will prepare a broader local legislative priorities package for the city’s fall discussion with the delegation. Staff also said it will track related county and state activity, including Montgomery County hearings referenced in the cannabis item and any relevant traffic enforcement pilots.

Proper names and clarifying details follow.","The Mayor and Council on June 9 authorized staff to submit three Maryland Municipal League (MML) legislative action requests for 2026: statewide stop‑sign monitoring in school zones, preservation of municipal highway user revenues and police aid, and support for regional transportation authority legislation; council selected those three of four",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6530035,"Rockville council creates two departments and approves pension changes; personnel policy manual revisions prompt further review",529,2826000,3355000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3741368-8cb83c082619b64411bb7c96cf9acf50&start=2826&end=3355","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3741368-8cb83c082619b64411bb7c96cf9acf50/thumbnail_2826000.jpg","/articles/6530035/Rockville-City/Montgomery-County/Maryland/Rockville-council-creates-two-departments-and-approves-pension-changes-personnel-policy-manual-revisions-prompt-further-review","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6530035-b8aecb851d95c050a96218bfb0e22a26/orig.mp4?Expires=1771206964&Signature=om98KRNX8yx9Kkp1slzI6q9abX5r-b5IR8bg9JyV5I7kMZjN3kQLdPjvuUozgcbGuPRpHvIdnj2HtPKzXupKgyynjK27YocI9JvvbFg7JtAd3HUJRPcY69Bi7RjVP-Odpp0plrgPizD~ocmM0bYOLy5Aa~aCRvCOOLbTC667rhsK-do5WxJSCpqF8xQwwjACKu8zdhayDpFLM3UK4er9PVPdACIG1mRevImua3nda2eBQyX-OnmMZ8HbtJuKzzzWI3JjLEDH6RvsAUyCWnrMhddN6RUntC7p3le0DCHyUGbZ9jlVa6Uukm8lgluq2WcblRK2JuTdPjClP2zPvSqn-Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Rockville Mayor and Council on June 9 adopted ordinances to create a Department of Procurement and a Department of Communications and Community Engagement, and approved resolutions to add specified executive positions to non‑merit civil service and to amend the city pension plan to cover those positions.

Staff told the council the organizational changes reflect items already included in the FY 2026 budget and are intended to improve operational efficiency, recruitment and retention. Susan Selig, presenting the staff recommendations, described four recommended measures: create the two new departments, place specified executive positions in non‑merit civil service, amend the pension plan to align with that list, and revise Chapter 15 of the city code to reflect related procedural changes.

Council approved the ordinance creating the two departments after a motion to waive the layover period. Council Member Van Grama introduced the ordinance; Council Member Fulton moved to waive and Council Member Shaw moved to adopt. The measure passed by voice vote.

Separately, the council adopted a resolution to establish and modify the list of at‑will classified civil service positions to be placed in non‑merit civil service and adopted a resolution to amend the City of Rockville pension plan document. Council Member Valeri moved to adopt the resolutions and Council Member Jackson seconded; the motions passed by voice vote. Staff said adding the deputy city attorney and other executive positions to the pension plan would increase pension costs by roughly $63,000, of which about $23,000 is new and budgeted within FY26.

Council then discussed a suite of proposed changes to the Personnel Policy Manual (PPM) and Chapter 15 that would (a) move administrative approval of the PPM from the Mayor and Council to the city manager, (b) require mayor and council approval for the contracts of the three appointed officials while allowing appointed officials to approve contracts for non‑merit positions under their supervision, and (c) limit the scope of Personnel Appeals Board findings to whether an employee violated any law, city policy, rule, regulation or directive. Staff said the proposed code edits align the code language with current practices on contracts and appointments.

Several council members expressed concern about removing checks and balances from Mayor and Council oversight. Topics raised during discussion included whether the city manager would notify the council of PPM changes, whether existing employee contracts would be honored, and how the proposed edits would affect employees who oversee elections. The council asked staff to return with clarifying language and a written legal opinion on whether state law permits municipalities to adopt local restrictions beyond those set in the Local Government Article on political activity by government employees.

On the Personnel Appeals Board proposal specifically, council discussion highlighted tradeoffs between efficiency and independent review. Staff described a hybrid model in which the Personnel Appeals Board would make written factual findings about whether a law or policy was violated and then transmit those findings to the city manager, city clerk or city attorney (as applicable) for a final decision. Some council members said that approach could undermine employee confidence in an independent appeals forum; others said the hybrid approach provides additional factual analysis to inform the final administrative decision. The council agreed to extend certain procedural timelines (for example allowing 30 calendar days in one step where the draft had used 15 days), to ask staff for a clean redline and to return with additional legal analysis and union input before finalizing the broader PPM changes.

What happens next: staff will update the code and pension documents, implement the new departmental structure consistent with the FY26 budget, and return to Mayor and Council with a cleaned‑up PPM draft, written legal analysis on the political activity/local law question, and summaries of union input before any final action on the PPM changes.

Proper names, authorities and clarifying details from the meeting are listed below.","The Mayor and Council on June 9 created Departments of Procurement and Communications & Community Engagement, approved resolutions moving certain executive positions to non‑merit status and amending the pension plan (effective July 1, 2025), and discussed proposed personnel policy manual (PPM) changes including the role of the Personnel Appeals","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Rockville adopts zoning change to allow retail cannabis sales, including drive‑thru option

Rockville selects three priorities for Maryland Municipal League legislative packet: stop‑sign monitoring, highway user revenue and regional transit authority

Rockville council creates two departments and approves pension changes; personnel policy manual revisions prompt further review