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Steven Sparks, principal planner with the city of Beaverton, recommended the City Council move forward with an ordinance regulating where marijuana dispensaries can operate. The Council voted 3-2 in favor.
((Photo by Nuran Alteir))
With a deadline looming, Beaverton City Council is scheduled to vote next week on two ordinances setting rules for marijuana in the city — one to regulate where dispensaries can operate and another establishing a tax.
At its meeting Oct. 21, the city council held a first reading of the ordinances and a public hearing about dispensary regulations. The city hopes to establish a tax before Measure 91, which would legalize marijuana, goes to voters on Nov. 4.
The city council held a first reading of the tax ordinance, proposed at 10 percent for recreational marijuana, with little comment, but dispensary zoning regulations prompted further discussion from community members and councilors.
The proposed dispensary regulations restrict operation to three commercial zones and establish an hour of operation of 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Beaverton Planning Commission had also recommended an 1,000-foot-buffer between some Tualatin Hills Park & Recreation District facilities and dispensaries, but city council suggested the buffer be removed at its Oct. 14 meeting.
During public comment time, Aisha Willits, THPRD director of planning, asked city council to reinstate the buffer around THPRD facilities. Willits compared THPRD facilities to schools, which dispensaries cannot be within 1,000 feet of according to state law.
Beaverton resident Alan Aldous also asked the council to reconsider keeping the THPRD buffer.
City Councilor Mark Fagin said that element of the ordinance was taken out because it would complicate the zoning process and future park development
"It would tie our code to wherever you developed," Fagin said to Willits. "It was more complex than I think we needed to be."
Councilor Marc San Soucie said he also agreed with the ordinance as is.
"This matter never fails to generate food for thought," he said. "This ordinance as presented by staff tonight does it right in my eyes."
Council moved forward with the zoning ordinance as written with a 3 to 2 vote. Councilors Betty Bode and Ian King were the dissenting votes, and both had said they wanted the buffer reinstated.
The two ordinances will go back to the city council for a second reading on Oct. 28, where they will be finalized if passed.
— Nuran Alteir | Twitter
Laura Frazier with the Oregonian contributed to this report