Bayport council reinstates signage and exterior-security rules for cannabis and hemp businesses

Bayport City Council members voted June 1 to amend Appendix B of the city zoning code to reinstate signage and exterior-security provisions for cannabis and hemp businesses that staff said were inadvertently omitted from a replacement ordinance.

Sarah, a city staff member, told the council that "staff discovered that the content related to signage and security that was originally included in ordinance 9003 was inadvertently omitted in replacement ordinance 915. So, as a result, staff is requesting the ordinance be amended to reinstate the omitted provisions as outlined in the draft ordinance." She offered to answer questions about the draft language.

Council members asked whether the reinstatement would affect current applications and sought clarity on the provisions. Council members described the restored rules as prohibiting signage that visually depicts or resembles cannabis flower and prohibiting exterior security bars and gates on business fronts; staff confirmed the amendment simply restores previously adopted language rather than creating new restrictions.

Council member Orin moved to adopt the amendment as drafted; Council member Carl seconded. The roll call recorded votes in favor from Council member Bliss, Council member Kip and Mayor Hansen and the motion passed.

Authorities and references noted in the discussion included the previously adopted ordinance 9003 and the replacement ordinance 915, which staff said omitted the signage and security language. The transcript did not specify an effective date for the amendment; effective date and final codification were not specified at the meeting.

The council took no additional action at the meeting beyond adopting the amendment.