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Brooksville council advances zoning changes to restrict new medical-marijuana centers, large self-storage conversions and car washes
Summary
On first reading the council approved Ordinance 997, which amends zoning definitions to bar new medical marijuana treatment centers, limit conversions of large box stores to self-storage, and prohibit new car washes; existing operations would remain legal nonconforming uses.
The Brooksville City Council approved the first reading of Ordinance 997 on a 5-0 vote to amend the land development code to limit where medical marijuana treatment centers, large self-storage conversions, and car washes can locate in the city.
Community Development Director David Hainley said the amendment addresses recent conversions of large vacant buildings into self-storage and the appearance of medical marijuana facilities. "This does convert concern not only new construction, but also conversion of existing, empty large box store sizes," Hainley said, and staff drafted the ordinance to restrict future such conversions. The ordinance also would prohibit new primary or accessory car-wash uses.
City Attorney Hamlin told the council the office had reviewed the draft and did not foresee legal obstacles to limiting new medical marijuana facilities. He said existing medical-marijuana centers and other existing uses would be "legal nonconforming users" and would be allowed to continue but could not be expanded under the new rule.
Council members asked about the current number of medical-marijuana facilities; staff said there are four existing facilities in the city and noted one self-storage project is already in the permitting process (near Cortez, off the truck route adjacent to Freedom Village). The item had previously gone to the Planning Commission, which recommended unanimous approval.
The ordinance will return for a second and final reading at the council’s May 19 meeting, where adoption would make the amendments effective. No members of the public spoke on the item at the first reading.
