Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Cannabis Regulation topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council narrowly authorizes city manager to affirmatively consent to Compass LLC cannabis application, 4-3
Summary
After extensive public comment and council debate over youth safety, social equity and process, Pasco council voted 4–3 to authorize the city manager to submit a local-authority notice responding ‘yes’ for Compass LLC and its location to the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board.
The Pasco City Council voted 4–3 to authorize the city manager to submit an affirmative consent notice to the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board for Compass LLC (WSLCB application no. 445257), a step that would allow the state process to proceed and trigger staff work to prepare code changes to permit additional retail licenses.
City staff explained the WSLCB form requires two checkbox responses: approve the applicant and approve the location. "That notice requests answering by the city of two questions... It's do you approve of the applicant? Yes or no... And do you approve of the location? Yes or no," staff member Kenny told the council, adding that a subsequent municipal code amendment would be required to allow more licenses (the staff packet envisioned moving from four to five licenses and a population-based incremental cap thereafter).
Council debate focused on three themes: neighborhood safety and youth exposure raised by several public commenters, fairness and process for entrepreneurs who have prepared applications, and social equity goals aimed at remedying past enforcement disparities. Councilmember Figueroa, who made the motion, framed the vote narrowly: "Are we going to provide affirmative consent based on approving of the applicant, yes or no?" Supporters of the motion said Compass LLC had completed leases, community outreach and met the state's social equity criteria; opponents warned lifting the cap risks greater local exposure and urged code changes and public hearings first.
The roll-call vote recorded four yes votes and three no votes. The motion authorized the city manager to sign and submit the WSLCB local-authority notice; it also directed staff to prepare municipal code amendments for council consideration, including a proposed shift to five licenses and a population-triggered approach for future increases. Councilmembers and staff emphasized that authorizing the letter does not itself change municipal code — any code amendment must return to council for public hearings and formal adoption.
Next steps: staff will prepare draft zoning and code language and schedule public hearings; the city’s response to the WSLCB will be limited to the checkbox answers required by state form.
