DATE: March 28, 2017
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBMITTED BY: Daniel C. Cederborg, County Counsel
SUBJECT: Marijuana Ordinances and Potential Amendments
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
TITLE
1. Provide direction to County Counsel regarding potential amendments to Chapters 10.60, 10.62 and 10.64 of the Fresno County Ordinance Code related to the regulation of marijuana cultivation and sale.
2. Determine that direction provided to County Counsel regarding potential amendments to Chapters 10.60, 10.62 and 10.64 of the Fresno County Ordinance Code related to the regulation of marijuana cultivation and sale, is exempt from the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act, Public Resources Code section 21000, et seq., and direct staff to file a Notice of Exemption with the Office of the Fresno County Clerk.
REPORT
ALTERNATIVE ACTION(S):
The Board may decline to provide direction to County Counsel regarding amendments to the Ordinance Code at this time.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no increase of Net County Cost associated with the recommended action.
DISCUSSION:
Background
In recent years, Fresno County has been confronted with threats to public health and safety resulting from the possession, cultivation, and sale of marijuana. The Board of Supervisors has received evidence from the Fresno County Sheriff's Department and members of the public of the threats to public safety, such as armed robberies with shots fired, incidents with juveniles and young adults, and closure and arrests of operators for violation of both state and federal laws, including seizure of illegal firearms, loitering, increased traffic, noise, and a loss of trade for other businesses located nearby.
The following highlights significant actions taken by the Board of Supervisors to address the threats to public safety posed by the cultivation of marijuana:
* January 7, 2014: Board of Supervisors enacted Ordinance Number 14-001, which banned outdoor cultivation of medical marijuana in ...
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