John Ventura told the Planning Commission during public comment that local organizations and school officials are urging the city to keep a 1,000‑foot buffer between cannabis dispensaries and sensitive uses such as schools and residences.

Ventura said multiple community groups, a letter from the Valleylinda school board (he referenced a letter from Dr. Evans), and outreach at a local night market have coalesced in support of a 1,000‑foot buffer. He asked commissioners to “come together” and signal support to the City Council ahead of an anticipated council discussion. Ventura also alleged that campaign spending by an out‑of‑area political action committee supported bringing cannabis retail into the city in 2022; that allegation is recorded as his statement to the commission.

Later in the meeting, commissioners raised procedural questions about whether the Planning Commission can take a formal stance. Staff told the commission that the minimum state requirement is 600 linear feet but that the city may adopt a larger separation distance via local ordinance. The city attorney (on the record) said the city has discretion to adopt stricter local rules but cautioned that the commission should follow normal public‑meeting rules when forming a recommendation.

Commissioners discussed options including requesting a staff report with legal analysis on risks of litigation, drafting a municipal code amendment, and scheduling an informational session so the commission could hear pros and cons. One commissioner asked staff to consult with the city attorney and the sheriff and to return with guidance on what the Planning Commission can and cannot do under the Brown Act. Staff said any proposed zoning or code changes that would affect where cannabis retail is allowed would come back to the Planning Commission for formal review and recommendation before going to the City Council.

No formal action or vote was taken by the Planning Commission on the buffer question during the July 22 meeting. Commissioners were advised to avoid substantive deliberation on an item not on the posted agenda, per the Ralph M. Brown Act (California Government Code section 54954.2(a)(2)), and to request a future agendized presentation if they want to consider a formal recommendation.