The city's Planning Commission on Tuesday recommended the City Council approve an ordinance banning medical marijuana dispensaries in the city.
The 3-1 vote is latest step in an attempt by the city to push out the shops, which have cropped up since late last year.
Tuesday's vote comes less than a month after the commission heard nearly two and a half hours of public input concerning the proposed and contentious ordinance.
"I think, after hearing all the information, that to allow 10 or 15 establishments in the city was not for the public good," Chairman Charles Klinakis said.
Ten dispensaries are open in La Puente, which has a population of 41,000, according to the city's most recent report. That's four more than a city cap approved in January.
Commissioner Gil Anthony Duarte, the lone dissenter, agreed that 10 shops is too much. He hoped, however, the City Council would consider allowing a "reasonable" number of dispensaries, maybe one or two.
"With the right zoning ordinance there may be places in the city where they don't affect schools," he said.
Commissioner Jeffrey Lewis was absent.
Now the ban will be considered on June 22 by the City Council.
On Feb. 23, the City Council directed its staff and attorneys to draft the ordinance banning the dispensaries at a meeting attended by about 170 people, many of them parents and teachers lamenting the dangers of the drug.
At the May 10 commission meeting, nearly 100 people, mostly owners and supporters of the dispensaries, filled City Hall to reject the ban.
The proposed ordinance would change the city's codes to prohibit any medical marijuana cooperatives or collectives. No permits or licenses will be issued either, according to the proposed ordinance.
Shops will be given a deadline to close by Feb. 2, 2011.
The dispensaries can apply for an extension if they can prove the Feb. 2 deadline will cause "extreme economic hardship" or they can't meet it based on how much they've invested.
The commission will review the extension applications based on a handful of financial and public safety and health considerations, according to the proposed ordinance.
The extension would last as long as the commission deemed it necessary, but ideally not indefinitely, commission attorney Ellin Davtyan said.
Debbie Kendel, who co-owns Today's Holistic Collective at 1359 Hacienda Blvd., said the commission's action is another step toward a "large" lawsuit by dispensary owners if the ordinance passes.
But now, Kendel said she plans on lobbying the council members.
"This is not about drugs," she said. "This is not about money but about our patients. Right now, I'm very sad."
NewsHawk: Ganjarden: 420 MAGAZINE
Source: Pasadena Star-News
Author: James Wagner
Copyright: 2010 Los Angeles Newspaper group
The 3-1 vote is latest step in an attempt by the city to push out the shops, which have cropped up since late last year.
Tuesday's vote comes less than a month after the commission heard nearly two and a half hours of public input concerning the proposed and contentious ordinance.
"I think, after hearing all the information, that to allow 10 or 15 establishments in the city was not for the public good," Chairman Charles Klinakis said.
Ten dispensaries are open in La Puente, which has a population of 41,000, according to the city's most recent report. That's four more than a city cap approved in January.
Commissioner Gil Anthony Duarte, the lone dissenter, agreed that 10 shops is too much. He hoped, however, the City Council would consider allowing a "reasonable" number of dispensaries, maybe one or two.
"With the right zoning ordinance there may be places in the city where they don't affect schools," he said.
Commissioner Jeffrey Lewis was absent.
Now the ban will be considered on June 22 by the City Council.
On Feb. 23, the City Council directed its staff and attorneys to draft the ordinance banning the dispensaries at a meeting attended by about 170 people, many of them parents and teachers lamenting the dangers of the drug.
At the May 10 commission meeting, nearly 100 people, mostly owners and supporters of the dispensaries, filled City Hall to reject the ban.
The proposed ordinance would change the city's codes to prohibit any medical marijuana cooperatives or collectives. No permits or licenses will be issued either, according to the proposed ordinance.
Shops will be given a deadline to close by Feb. 2, 2011.
The dispensaries can apply for an extension if they can prove the Feb. 2 deadline will cause "extreme economic hardship" or they can't meet it based on how much they've invested.
The commission will review the extension applications based on a handful of financial and public safety and health considerations, according to the proposed ordinance.
The extension would last as long as the commission deemed it necessary, but ideally not indefinitely, commission attorney Ellin Davtyan said.
Debbie Kendel, who co-owns Today's Holistic Collective at 1359 Hacienda Blvd., said the commission's action is another step toward a "large" lawsuit by dispensary owners if the ordinance passes.
But now, Kendel said she plans on lobbying the council members.
"This is not about drugs," she said. "This is not about money but about our patients. Right now, I'm very sad."
NewsHawk: Ganjarden: 420 MAGAZINE
Source: Pasadena Star-News
Author: James Wagner
Copyright: 2010 Los Angeles Newspaper group
