Proposed Marijuana Ordinance For Wildomar: Public Comment Sought

WILDOMAR, CA — The City of Wildomar is seeking the public's input on a cannabis ordinance that, if approved, would allow marijuana businesses in parts of the community.

The proposed ordinance would establish a regulatory framework for the licensure and operation of the businesses in the city. For example, cannabis retailers would be allowed in certain commercial areas, provided they first obtain a conditional use permit from the city. Cannabis cultivation, manufacturing, distribution and testing laboratories would be allowed with the approval of a conditional use permit in certain industrial, manufacturing and commercial zones within the city.

Under the proposed ordinance, no cannabis business would be allowed to operate within 600 feet of a public/private school, a daycare center, youth center or park.

The latest request for public comment comes nearly eight months after a city council ad-hoc subcommittee was created to help provide input to city staff on a proposed ordinance. As part of the effort, the subcommittee reviewed cannabis ordinances from the cities of Cathedral City, Lake Elsinore, Perris and the County of Riverside. After several months of meetings, the subcommittee and city staff completed an initial draft ordinance that was made available to the public for review. In October, the Wildomar Planning Commission held a study session and invited the public to comment on the draft.

Now the city is reviewing the potential environmental impact of cannabis operations in the city. The city's environmental findings are available here. For those wanting to comment on this document, known as an "Initial Study/Negative Declaration," responses must be received by February 28, 2020. Written comments can be sent to Matthew C. Bassi, Planning Director, City of Wildomar Planning Department, 23873 Clinton Keith Road, Suite 201, Wildomar, CA 92595. Comments can also be emailed to mbassi@cityofwildomar.org.

The Wildomar Planning Commission is tentatively scheduled to review the "Initial Study/Negative Declaration" document and proposed ordinance at its regularly scheduled April 1 meeting. Wildomar City Council is scheduled to review the documents during its regularly scheduled April 15 meeting. The public is invited to attend both meetings.