News (Media Awareness Project) - US MI: Saugatuck Township Planners - Medical Marijuana A |
| Title: | US MI: Saugatuck Township Planners - Medical Marijuana A |
| Published On: | 2011-08-23 |
| Source: | Holland Sentinel (MI) |
| Fetched On: | 2011-08-26 06:01:40 |
SAUGATUCK TOWNSHIP PLANNERS: MEDICAL MARIJUANA A HOME-BASED BUSINESS
Saugatuck Township - Saugatuck Township planners are recommending
medical marijuana be allowed to be distributed from homes, not from
traditional storefronts in commercial areas, despite pleas from
residents to wait until the issue is resolved in the state courts.
The proposal, which must still be voted on by the township board
before it goes into effect, leaves two dispensaries already operating
in a commercial area on Blue Star Highway to an uncertain future.
The township will not immediately close down the dispensaries if the
township board approves the proposed ordinance, township attorney Ron
Bultje told the planning commission Monday, Aug. 22.
"It is not the desire of the township board to enter this fray until
the picture is cleared," he said, referring to a pending state court decision.
The township board meets at 6 p.m. Sept. 7, at the township hall,
3461 Blue Star Highway.
On June 1, the township put a three-month moratorium on new medical
marijuana facilities and asked the planning commission to draw up an
ordinance covering the use.
The proposed zoning rules limit one registered caregiver to a home
that must be more than 1,000 feet away from a school, library, family
day care home or group day care home. It also allows a caregiver to
operate in an attached garage or detached accessory building.
"It's premature to regulate this industry as a home-based use," said
John Targowski of Saugatuck. The two sites on Blue Star Highway have
not drawn any criminals or "adverse activity," he said.
Neighbors of a home-based medical marijuana site might not want the
activity near them, Targowski said, a feeling shared by one planning
commissioner.
"Having marijuana out of a home -- I don't want it in my
neighborhood," said commission Chairman Larry Edris.
The two dispensaries have been operating during the moratorium
despite a statement by the township attorney that no facilities in
the township are permitted to dispense medical marijuana.
The dispensaries are Good Intentions Paving Co., 3219 Blue Star
Highway, owned by Tammy Jacobi, and The Great Turtle Emporium, 3383
Blue Star Highway, owned by Larry Darling.
Saugatuck Township - Saugatuck Township planners are recommending
medical marijuana be allowed to be distributed from homes, not from
traditional storefronts in commercial areas, despite pleas from
residents to wait until the issue is resolved in the state courts.
The proposal, which must still be voted on by the township board
before it goes into effect, leaves two dispensaries already operating
in a commercial area on Blue Star Highway to an uncertain future.
The township will not immediately close down the dispensaries if the
township board approves the proposed ordinance, township attorney Ron
Bultje told the planning commission Monday, Aug. 22.
"It is not the desire of the township board to enter this fray until
the picture is cleared," he said, referring to a pending state court decision.
The township board meets at 6 p.m. Sept. 7, at the township hall,
3461 Blue Star Highway.
On June 1, the township put a three-month moratorium on new medical
marijuana facilities and asked the planning commission to draw up an
ordinance covering the use.
The proposed zoning rules limit one registered caregiver to a home
that must be more than 1,000 feet away from a school, library, family
day care home or group day care home. It also allows a caregiver to
operate in an attached garage or detached accessory building.
"It's premature to regulate this industry as a home-based use," said
John Targowski of Saugatuck. The two sites on Blue Star Highway have
not drawn any criminals or "adverse activity," he said.
Neighbors of a home-based medical marijuana site might not want the
activity near them, Targowski said, a feeling shared by one planning
commissioner.
"Having marijuana out of a home -- I don't want it in my
neighborhood," said commission Chairman Larry Edris.
The two dispensaries have been operating during the moratorium
despite a statement by the township attorney that no facilities in
the township are permitted to dispense medical marijuana.
The dispensaries are Good Intentions Paving Co., 3219 Blue Star
Highway, owned by Tammy Jacobi, and The Great Turtle Emporium, 3383
Blue Star Highway, owned by Larry Darling.
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