The Kirkwood City Council on July 3 rejected a proposed text amendment that would have changed municipal operating hours for cannabis facilities citywide, then approved an amended special-use permit for a marijuana facility at 10855 Manchester Road that sets daily hours at 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.

City staff presented Bill 11082, a text amendment to Chapter 25 (zoning and subdivision) that would have altered the hours permitted for marijuana facility operation from 8 a.m.–9 p.m. under current code to an expanded schedule; after discussion the council voted against first reading of the text amendment. The motion to approve first reading failed on a voice vote.

Separately, Council considered Bill 11083, an amendment to the special-use permit for the Manchester Road facility and moved to change that facility’s authorized hours to 8 a.m.–9 p.m. daily (within the current code allowances). Councilmembers debated whether to extend hours to 10 p.m. but a compromise amendment setting hours to 8 a.m.–9 p.m. was adopted and the amended bill passed first reading.

Council discussion noted that the existing municipal code allows 8 a.m.–9 p.m. citywide and that the Manchester dispensary originally had shorter SUP hours (9 a.m.–9 p.m. Monday–Saturday and 9 a.m.–7 p.m. Sunday). Council members emphasized that the city could grant an SUP amendment specific to an operator without changing the code for all properties.

City staff and council referenced review criteria for text amendments that consider whether a change would promote public health, safety, convenience and general welfare. Planning staff recommended against extending drive-through hours in the SUP amendment; the council limited its change to hours consistent with the current code.