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Commission notes adult‑entertainment and cannabis chapters need updating; cannabis cultivation currently prohibited in city code
Summary
Commissioners said the adult‑entertainment chapter appears dated and flagged a possible conflict between an older city prohibition on marijuana cultivation and a more recent cannabis ordinance; staff will reconcile chapters and prepare recommendations ahead of retail dispensary conditional use applications.
The Planning Commission reviewed two special‑use chapters in the municipal code — adult entertainment and cannabis — and directed staff to simplify or reconcile provisions that appear outdated or inconsistent with state law and more recent code sections.
On adult entertainment, commissioners said the chapter is detailed and likely outdated; it presently limits adult businesses to commercial zones and sets separation distances (for example, 500 feet from residential zones and 1,000 feet from schools, parks and churches). Several commissioners expressed discomfort at having an adult‑entertainment allowance in the downtown general commercial district and suggested staff consider whether to retain or substantially simplify the chapter.
On cannabis, the commission noted the municipal code contains a section stating that “marijuana cultivation by any persons or entity is prohibited in all zone districts within the city of Willows.” Staff said that provision may predate the city’s more detailed cannabis ordinance or state regulatory changes, and that the code needs legal review to reconcile local prohibitions with state law and the city’s permitting approach. Staff advised that the city’s cannabis chapter contains separate permitting rules for dispensaries and cultivation in certain contexts; the commission asked staff to clarify whether indoor personal cultivation remains allowed under state law versus the city’s local restrictions.
Staff reminded commissioners that retail dispensary conditional use permit applications are anticipated soon: the CUP recommendation would be reviewed by the planning commission and then forwarded to city council for a final decision. Staff said they will provide the commission with the existing cannabis ordinance materials and any legal analysis necessary to reconcile contradictions in the code before the dispensary CUPs arrive.
Commissioners asked that the city attorney be available for the dispensary items to answer questions about local licensing, land‑use limitations, and interactions with state law.
