Nicholasville commission gives first reading to zoning changes to allow medical‑cannabis uses in select zones

The Nicholasville City Commission on Sept. 23 approved the first reading of Ordinance 170‑2024, a package of amendments to the city zoning code that would create targeted allowances for medical‑cannabis operations and add a contractor‑supply use in industrially zoned property.

Tim, a city staff member presenting the ordinance, said the changes are focused on where different parts of the cannabis industry best fit in the city’s land‑use map. "What we have done or what we've presented is, to allow the retail sales and labs and lab testing in the P‑1," Tim said, adding that laboratories were already permitted in the P‑1 zone and that retail would be accessory to medical facilities. He also said retail sales would be prohibited in the DB (downtown business) district "to not want that kind of activity in our DB District." He described cultivation, processing and testing as more appropriate for industrial (I) zones because those operations "are indoors" and fit larger industrial facilities.

The ordinance would permit retail sales in B‑1 and B‑2 business zones but keep them out of the downtown DB district. Tim also presented a separate, unrelated amendment to allow contractor‑supply sales at a property currently zoned industrial; he said the change was an opportunistic addition to the package.

Commissioners asked clarifying questions about the affected zones and how the accessory retail would operate. After discussion the commission moved, seconded and approved the ordinance on first reading by roll call.

If the ordinance proceeds to subsequent readings and final adoption, it would change the Nicholasville zoning ordinance (Chapter 25) to reflect the described allowances and prohibitions. The commission did not specify further procedural dates during the meeting.