Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Medical Cannabis topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Erlanger council adopts zoning changes to allow medical cannabis uses, overturning county ban
Summary
On second reading the council adopted an ordinance to overturn Kenton County's medical-cannabis ban within Erlanger and to amend the zoning code to permit cultivation, processing, dispensaries and related uses in specified industrial and commercial zones.
The Erlanger City Council on Sept. 3 voted to adopt a second-reading ordinance that overturns Kenton County's ban on medical cannabis within the city and amends Erlanger's zoning code to define and permit medical-cannabis cultivation, processing, production, safety-compliance facilities and dispensaries in multiple zones.
City Attorney Jack Gatlin said the ordinance adds permitted uses in BP (Business Park), FI (Light Industrial), GI (General Industrial) and allows dispensaries in ROC (residential-to-office conversion), NC (neighborhood commercial), CC (community commercial), HC (highway commercial) and MU (mixed use) zones, and establishes use-specific standards, parking requirements and definitions.
The ordinance follows a June/July public process: Gatlin noted a public hearing on July 10 before the county planning commission (KCPC) that recommended the text amendment. If implemented as stated, Gatlin said businesses in the newly permitted categories could apply to locate in Erlanger beginning Jan. 1 (subject to state and local permitting).
Council discussion was limited. One council member asked whether other Kenton County cities had already overturned the ban; Gatlin said Covington had acted and other cities (Fort Wright) were at varying stages. The presiding officer called for adoption on second reading and the motion carried.
The ordinance changes zoning permissions rather than creating city-run cannabis operations; the record shows the amendments focus on land-use definitions, permitted locations and related off-street parking and safety standards.
Next steps for applicants are to comply with the newly adopted zoning standards, obtain any required city or state permits, and pursue any needed site- or conditional-use approvals under local procedures.
