OFFICE OF THE CITY COUNCIL

 

CHERYL L. BROWN                                                                                                                               117 WEST DUVAL STREET, SUITE 425

            DIRECTOR                                                                                                                                                    4TH FLOOR, CITY HALL

   OFFICE (904) 630-1452                                                                                                                                 JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA  32202

     FAX (904) 630-2906                                                                                                                                                                                 

  E-MAIL: CLBROWN@coj.net

 

 

 LUZ Committee & Planning Commission Joint Meeting

Workshop Minutes

 

November 3, 2015

4:00 p.m.

 

City Council Chamber

1st Floor, City Hall

117 West Duval Street

 

Attendance:  Council Members Scott Wilson (Chair), Lori Boyer, Danny Becton, Aaron Bowman, Jim Love, and Joyce Morgan (arr. 4:14p)

 

Also: Chris Hagan (Vice Chair), Donald “Marshall” Adkison, Ben Davis, Jerry Friley III, and Nicole Padgett Planning Commission; Folks Huxford, Bruce Lewis and Kristen Reed – Planning and Development Department; Susan Grandin – Office of General Counsel; Philip Zamarron – Legislative Services Division; Yvonne Mitchell – Council Research Division

 

Chairman Wilson called the combined meeting between the LUZ committee and Planning Commission to order at 4:03 p.m.  

 

Low-THC Medical Marijuana

CM Wilson briefed the attendees on the actions of the committee from the previous meeting. Ms. Grandin distributed the proposed legislation and provided a thorough review including but not limited to:

  • definitions
  • type of facilities (cultivation, processing, and dispensing)
  • zoning districts
  • performance standards
  • distance requirements

 

The committee was engaged in extensive dialogue regarding the type of building structure would be required for the facility. Additional information is necessary to determine appropriate facility type to include in the legislation. The committee was in favor of using a commercial warehouse with “no” windows.

 

 

Public Comment

Christopher Ralph mentioned his appreciation toward the work of the committee. However, it should be noted that the current legislature has multiple bills waiting for January 1 to repeal 381.986; specifically, bill 381.991 which could completely repeal (986) due to its change in the definition of low-THC. Additionally, he reported that currently numerous physicians in Duval County provide patients with cannabis medical products under the 2001 Health Freedom Act. He recommends that a structure or guidelines are incorporated into the legislation to include these physicians. In response to CM Boyer’s inquiry, Mr. Ralph explained the difference between a prescription and doctor’s order pursuant to definitions within the statutes.

 

Assignment

Ms. Grandin will amend the legislation for introduction; clarify the meaning of a structure for cultivation; define structure such as commercial warehouse with “no” windows; and add language pertaining to the Planning Department having the discretion to require proof for distance requirements. 

 

Actions

Motion/2nd move to include language which definitively states that the cultivation of cannabis other than Low-THC cannabis or sell of cannabis other than Low-THC cannabis for medicinal purposes is not permissible in any zoning district within the City of Jacksonville – Boyer/Bowman (6-0)

 

Motion/2nd move to include language of “pursuant to the order of a practitioner” - Boyer/Love (5-0)

 

Motion/2nd move to introduce legislation by the committee to include all amendments – Boyer/Love (6-0)

 

 

There being no further business, the workshop was adjourned at 4:48 p.m.

 

Yvonne P. Mitchell, Council Research Division (904) 630-1679

Posted 11.05.15            1:00 p.m.