The Kenai City Council gave the city planner and attorney direction to create an ordinance for commercial marijuana establishments that will be introduced at the January 6 meeting.
During discussions, City Councilor Bob Molloy asked members to consider whether high-tunnels could potentially be used to cultivate marijuana, since they might not be considered a building or greenhouse.
City Attorney Scott Bloom spoke about the state’s ruling on outdoor grow operations, saying unless municipalities included a ban in the local options, high-tunnels are allowed as long as they are accompanied with a physical barrier to obscure public view.
Kenai’s Planning and Zoning Commission had recommended banning greenhouse growing because of screening and odor control issues but the ordinance to be introduced will not heed that recommendation.
Near the end of the meeting, Mayor Pat Porter asked if the city could still implement an excise tax on future marijuana sales. Bloom stated that to consider implementing a higher sales tax on cannabis, Kenai needs to define a local regulatory board.
Council members discussed the buffers around commercial marijuana establishments at length, defining the way proximities are measured, the buffer distance from schools, and what facilities require a buffer.
Tune in this afternoon for more on what Kenai decided on for buffer distances along with the possibility of on-site consumption in the city later this afternoon.