Planning Commission backs code change to allow marijuana facilities in certain commercial and industrial zones

The Troutdale Planning Commission voted unanimously on Jan. 8 to recommend that the City Council approve a text amendment (case file 7517) to the Troutdale Development Code that would change marijuana facilities from "not permitted" to a conditional use in the General Commercial, Light Industrial and General Industrial zoning districts.

Staff presented the amendment and said the change responds to the denial of a voter measure. Dakota Meyer, associate planner, described the edits to the code use tables in Chapter 3 (sections 3.320 and 3.420) and told commissioners the earliest effective date if council adopts the ordinance would be April 10, 2025. Staff recommended the commission forward the amendment to council for its public hearings, tentatively scheduled for Feb. 11 (introduction) and March 11 (adoption).

Commissioners asked for clarifying edits to the findings of fact; Commissioner Wilcox pointed out wording errors relating to the prior measure and asked staff to explicitly note the denial in findings. Staff agreed to incorporate Wilcox's suggested edits into the council staff report. Commissioners also discussed section 3.325(a) and the state-required 1,000-foot distance rule for retailers; staff confirmed the 1,000-foot distance is a state requirement and is measured as a straight-line distance.

Separately, commissioners debated whether the code's definition of "school" should include community college programs that serve students under age 18 (noting that Mount Hood Community College enrolls high-school students for credit). Commissioners proposed adding clarifying language for the marijuana footnote to ensure institutions like Mount Hood are treated as "schools" for the distance calculation where appropriate; staff said they would place the language as a footnote to 3.325(a) and add the draft language provided by Commissioner Wilcox.

Motion and vote: Commissioner Minkoff moved approval of case file 7517 "as amended"; the motion was seconded by Vice Chair Prickett. The commission recorded a unanimous vote in favor: Commissioners Andrews (yes), Minkoff (yes), Vice Chair Prickett (yes), Wilcox (yes), Chair Stavinson (yes) and Commissioner Allen (yes). The vote sends the recommendation to City Council for the scheduled public hearings.

Ending: Staff said the recommended edits will be added to the council staff report and reminded the commission the proposal is a Type 4 procedure; the public hearing record will go to council for final decision.