Ord. 541 - City of Woodinville

Section 1. Findings. The City Council hereby adopts the following findings in supportof this ordinance, together with the recitals expressed herein.1. On August 9, 2011, the City Council discussed the recent changes in state law that allowedlocal governments to approve and regulate "medical marijuana collective gardens." The CityCouncil directed staff to prepare an ordinance to establish a moratorium on medicalmarijuana collective gardens.2. On September 13, 2011 the City Council passed Ordinance 531 establishing a six (6) monthmoratorium. The moratorium was imposed to provide adequate time to refer this matter tothe Planning Commission for study and recommendation.3. City Council held a public hearing on October 4, 2011 in order to take testimony regardingthe moratorium and interim regulation. No public comment was received. At that time,Council members were unanimously in favor of prohibiting the collective gardens within theCity limits.4. The City Council remanded the matter to the Planning Commission for review anddevelopment of regulations for medical marijuana collective gardens.5. On December 7, 2011, the Planning Commission held a study session to review anddiscuss the impacts of collective gardens. The land use impacts identified included:a. Conversion of residential uses into marijuana cultivation and processing facilities,removing valuable housing stock in a community;b. Degrading neighborhood aesthetics due to shuttered up homes, offensive odors;increased night-time traffic; parking issues; loitering from potential purchaserslooking to buy from a collective member;c. Environmental damages from chemicals being discharged into surrounding and offsitesoil and storm and sanitary sewer systems;d. Serious risk of fire hazard due to overloaded service connections used to operategrow lights and fans;e. Improper ventilation leading to high levels of moisture and mold;f. Illegal structural modifications; andg. Criminal issues such as home invasions, burglaries of medical marijuana facilities,theft and property damage.6. The Planning Commission held a public hearing on February 8, 2012, to take publictestimony on marijuana collective gardens. No public testimony was received.7. The Planning Commission then deliberated and produced a public record and maderecommendations that were forwarded to the City Council.8. The City Council considered the Planning Commission's public record, found in AttachmentA of this Ordinance, and recommendations concerning medical marijuana collective gardensat a public hearing on February 21, 2012.9. The City Council held first reading of Ordinance 541 on February 21, 2012.10. The City Council held second reading of Ordinance 541 on February 21, 2012.