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Marijuana business ordinance fails at second reading after council takes no motion
Summary
The Mount Clemens City Commission did not move to adopt or table the second reading of a proposed marijuana business ordinance after staff and the city attorney recommended starting over; the item therefore failed procedurally at second reading amid robust public comment about map accuracy and buffers.
The Mount Clemens City Commission did not advance a proposed marijuana business ordinance at the meeting, after no commissioner moved to adopt or to table the item at its second reading. City Manager Mr Johnson told the commission he recommended tabling the ordinance to allow staff to complete work in subsequent workshops; the city attorney recommended restarting at first reading because the draft required substantial changes.
Why it matters: The ordinance would govern where marijuana businesses can locate within Mount Clemens. Several residents urged the commission to be deliberate, noting that maps used to identify suitable sites overstate real opportunities and that proximity buffers (for schools and residences) can sharply reduce viable sites.
What happened: At the second reading staff said the ordinance needed additional work; Mr Johnson said staff recommended tabling. The city attorney advised that because the changes were extensive the commission should treat the version as defeated at second reading and return to first reading once a new draft is prepared. Because no commissioner formally moved adoption or tabling at second reading, the item failed procedurally.
Public input: A number of speakers addressed the commission during public comment. One resident who identified himself as Ryan raised specific concerns about the council’s suitability map, saying it lists sites that are not for sale or are adjacent to residences and that a 1,000-foot buffer left only a handful of realistic sites. Another commenter emphasized the need for realistic parking and zoning assessments before approving locations.
Next steps: Staff and commissioners repeatedly referenced additional workshops to address outstanding zoning, buffer and licensing questions. The commission did not adopt policy at this meeting; the matter will return for further work and a new reading once staff provides a revised draft.
Ending: The commission moved on to other agenda business after the item failed at second reading; no new ordinance text was adopted.
