FLINT, MI—Flint’s planning commission approved amendments to an ordinance that would allow recreational marijuana to be sold within city limits at its meeting Tuesday night.
The ordinance, which was originally created to regulate the manufacturing, selling and purchases of medical marijuana, was amended with a 7-0 vote to allow the product to be sold for recreational use. The amended ordinance will now move to City Council for first reading. Council will have to approve the first reading, second reading and hold a public hearing on the matter before it becomes law.
The amendments were made to chapter 50 of the city’s zoning code. Potential business owners can also qualify for exemptions that benefit the community.
A social equity program exemption will allow Flint residents to apply for an exemption from various restrictions to start microbusinesses or have a Class A grow facility, which allows for up to 500 marijuana plants to be grown.
Adam Long, a Flint resident, said that the social equity exemption gives potential small business owners a chance in the marijuana business.
“I hope that me and other potential business owners can show you that we can do things the right way,” Long said.
Applicants may be approved for these exemptions if they provide a blight elimination plan for a neighborhood within 300 feet of where they want to open shop. Blight elimination plans must be created with the input and support of Flint residents in the neighborhood and require a capital investment to alleviate structural and non-structural blight concerns in the area.
Blight elimination plans must be approved in a public hearing before the planning commission.
Victor Korea, who owns several buildings in Flint, says he supports the blight elimination exemption and the amended ordinance. Korea has a small building that gets broken into often. Finding a tenant for the building has been difficult.
“That building can only be kept together by a tenant. Your new ordinance would allow me to find a tenant,” Korea said. “Some potential microbusiness owners have already shown interest in renting that building. It really will help eliminate blight.”
Applicants can also apply for an exemption from restrictions if they have an approved Park Beautification Plan. Plans must be created with input and support from Flint residents in the affected area and park volunteers. Applicants are also required to provide a capital investment to improve recreational amenities and park maintenance. Plans must be approved by a public hearing before the planning commission.
Ninth Ward Planning Commissioner Elizabeth Jordan proposed a case review of each exemption upon an applicant’s first-year renewal of their marijuana license. Jordan said this would ensure some enforcement of what’s required to get the exemption.
“If we’re going to entertain potential exemptions, we have to explore ensuring enforcement of those exemption requirements,” Jordan said. “They must have a case review at the year renewal of their license. That will show they’ve lived up to and satisfied those requirements.”
The planning commission voted 7-0 to include the case review within the amended ordinance.
The ordinance will also provide residents with a new procedure to file complaints. The resident-initiated hearings could trigger a case review for nuisances or other violations of the city’s code.
Residents can file complaints with the city. Officials would then set a case review meeting with the Planning Commission, the offending licensee and the complainant to address the issue. If the issue isn’t corrected within a reasonable amount of time, the applicant can have their license suspend or be subject to other provisions.
Recent Comments