Politics & Government
Sonoma County Supervisors Reject Marijuana Grow Recommendation
The County Planning Commission had suggested allowing pot cultivation in certain residential and agricultural residential zones.
SONOMA COUNTY, CA -- The County Board of Supervisors has rejected a county Planning Commission recommendation to allow marijuana cultivation in unincorporated rural residential and agricultural residential zones of the county.
During its Dec. 13 meeting, three of the five Supervisors -- David Rabbitt, Shirlee Zane and James Gore -- voted against the proposal that would have allowed small grows on a minimum of two acres. The proposal needed a simple majority to pass.
Supervisor Susan Gorin said she preferred such grows on five-acre parcels or larger, and Board Chair Efren Carrillo said he favored the Planning Commission's recommendation.
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Opponents of marijuana grows in residential areas packed several recent Planning Commission and Board of Supervisors hearings to express concerns about their safety in light of recent marijuana related crimes, including murders and home invasion robberies, and the skunky aroma of the pot plants.
"The crime element has not been discussed enough, and that is the most important thing," Zane said. "Public health and safety is what I am charged with. There are other zones for this (growing) opportunity," Zane
said.
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Rabbitt said marijuana grows in the residential areas are not compatible.
"It just doesn't work for me," he said.
Carrillo, who leaves the Board this month after two terms, said the Planning Commission's recommendation to allow small grows in rural residential areas enables the existing pot growers to "step out of the shadow
and step into the light" so their operations can be taxed and regulated.
Outdoor and indoor grows on larger parcels in agricultural and industrial zones would be permitted under a county ordinance. Cultivation using both the sun and artificial lighting also would be allowed in industrial and agricultural zones.
Final approval of marijuana land use and tax ordinance is scheduled for Dec. 20, the Board's last meeting of 2016.
Bay City News contributed to this report/Image via Shutterstock
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