Severance planning commission recommends ordinance to regulate licensed ‘‘natural medicine’’ centers in designated development nodes

SEVERANCE, Colo. — The Severance Plan Commission on Aug. 20 voted unanimously to recommend that the Town Council adopt a local ordinance (new Article 21 in Chapter 16) establishing local time, place and manner rules for state‑licensed natural‑medicine facilities, commonly described in the meeting as supervised “healing centers.” The recommendation follows state legalization and implementing regulations and would allow the use only in specified development node zones rather than across the entire town.

Town Attorney Nina Williams told commissioners the state — not the town — licenses natural‑medicine entities and that local government authority is limited to time, place and manner. “You can regulate hours, distance requirements, lighting, odor control and screening,” Williams said, adding that municipalities cannot enact outright bans or regulations that conflict with state rules.

Under the draft…