Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Ordinance And Zoning topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Ellsworth staff previews ordinance rewrite and new cannabis performance standards; planning board to review drafts in February
Summary
Staff told the planning board the Musen group consultant will present a comprehensive land‑use ordinance informational session at the Feb. 2 council workshop, with a planning‑board recommendation expected in March or April; drafts of adult‑use cannabis and updated medical dispensary performance standards will be sent to the board for review ahead of a February vote.
City staff told the Ellsworth Planning Board on Jan. 7 that two ordinance efforts will come before the board in the next months: a comprehensive land‑use ordinance rewrite and performance standards tied to recent adult‑use cannabis licensing changes.
Staff said the city’s consultant (the Musen group) is scheduled to present an informational session at the Feb. 2 council workshop; staff asked board members to attend that session if possible. The consultant’s review will be followed by a planned timeline in which the planning board would consider recommending adoption of comprehensive ordinance revisions in March or April.
Separately, staff said the city council will vote in January on licensing changes (chapter 14) that set the framework for adult‑use cannabis stores; performance standards to accompany that licensing change will be circulated to the planning board for review and a likely vote in February. Staff also said medical marijuana dispensary performance standards will be updated to align more closely with the adult‑use standards and that staff expects to send drafts to the board within days.
Why it matters: ordinance revisions and performance standards determine siting, operational limits and licensing conditions for businesses — including cannabis retailers — and shape how the city enforces land‑use rules.
Staff closed by promising to email drafts and anticipated timelines. Board members asked to be included in stakeholder feedback for a separate Thriving Communities Partnership project focused on the High Street corridor and requested the draft materials when available.
