Council asked to adopt cannabis zoning text amendment; public hearing set for 301 North Division

Carol Samuel presented two land‑use items on May 18: a proposed zoning text amendment related to cannabis uses and a request to schedule a public hearing for a special‑permit application at 301 North Division.

On the cannabis amendment, Samuel said the planning commission recommended approval in April and the council held a public hearing on May 11 that drew two speakers (one in favor of allowing dispensaries to help fill downtown vacancies and another concerned about consumption sites). Samuel said the city currently requires a special permit for dispensaries and consumption sites and that she is not proposing changes to the permit process now; she recommended keeping dispensary and consumption‑site rules aligned until the state publishes more specific regulations.

Samuel also described a special‑permit application for 301 North Division (the former Superior Auto Body location at the corner of Portland and North Division). The applicant seeks to operate a minor auto‑repair use in a C‑3 district; auto‑body restoration and paint booth activity are not permitted. Samuel asked the council to schedule a June 22 public hearing and refer the application to the planning commission for review and necessary ZBA variances. Several council members voiced support for scheduling the hearing; Samuel said she would check whether towing had been applied for.

No final zoning changes or permit approvals were made at the meeting; the council directed staff to schedule and circulate the public hearing notice.