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Queenstown adopts zoning limits for medical cannabis dispensaries and processors
Summary
The Queenstown Commissioners adopted Ordinance 17-06 to specify where medical cannabis dispensaries and processors may locate, removing the HC zone and permitting dispensaries in Regional Commercial (RC) and processors in Planned Regional Commercial (PRC). The vote was unanimous.
The Queenstown Commissioners on Sept. 27 unanimously adopted Ordinance 17-06, which sets where medical cannabis businesses may operate within town limits.
Town Attorney Brynja Booth told the Commissioners they and the Planning Commission had reviewed state requirements and that, if the town did not identify specific zones, dispensaries could locate wherever retail is allowed. Following public input, the Commissioners removed the HC zone from the draft and limited dispensaries to the Regional Commercial (RC) zone and processors to the Planned Regional Commercial (PRC) floating zone. Commissioner George L. Plumbo Jr. moved to adopt Ordinance 17-06; Commissioner Hogie Schuster seconded and the motion carried unanimously.
The ordinance change was presented as a zoning-location decision rather than a change in state law; Booth said the approach prevents dispensaries "from going wherever retail is permitted" by designating specific allowed zones. During public comment, Matt Anthony asked whether the state requires the town to permit dispensaries. Booth responded that a dispensary is a permissible retail use unless the town designates where such uses are allowed, which the ordinance now does.
The Commissioners also noted related procedures: the Planning Commission had sent the draft Comprehensive Plan to state and county reviewers and recommended an additional Planning Commission hearing before a formal hearing by the Commissioners. The town announced related public hearings for other zoning and licensing items on Oct. 25, 2017.
The ordinance was adopted with a unanimous recorded outcome in the meeting minutes; the text of Ordinance 17-06 and the Planning Commission recommendations will be available through town records and at upcoming hearings.
