PORT TOWNSEND — Discussion about a county moratorium on recreational marijuana business will continue with a meeting this week of the Jefferson County Planning Commission and a public hearing with county commissioners later this month.
After 40 minutes of spirited public comment Monday, the Jefferson County commissioners set their public hearing date for 6 p.m. Jan. 26 at the Cotton Building, 607 Water St.
This special time and place were chosen in order to accommodate larger crowds, according to commissioners.
The Planning Commission will meet at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Tri-Area Community Center, 10 West Valley Road in Chimacum.
The moratorium went into effect Aug. 11 and is set to expire Feb. 11, with the possibility of its extension to June 11.
Two options are under consideration: to extend the original moratorium or put in place an amended version that exempts parcels larger than five acres.
The commissioners also have the choice to allow expiration of the moratorium, though support for that option is lacking.
“I would love to be able to end the moratorium,” said District 3 Commissioner Kathleen Kler, who took office Jan. 2 and was immediately deluged by people on both sides of the issue.
“But it’s very complicated and we need more information, and if we end the moratorium without having some of these questions, there could be consequences.”
Kler hasn’t tallied the numbers of those for and against extending the moratorium, saying preferences of those approaching her are about equal.
There is a difference, she said, as older citizens are generally opposed to extending the moratorium while younger people with families are in favor.
Kler said she is unclear about the differences between the marijuana regulations that have caused controversy and those governing hard cider, which the community has embraced.
“Cider is a controlled substance that is produced locally and is kept out of the hands of minors, but there hasn’t been the same public interest and outcry over those regulations,” she said.
Security is also a concern, but Kler feels the current laws provide adequate protection.
On Thursday, Kler was visiting a grow operation when the alarm was inadvertently tripped and the police arrived in minutes.
“It was quite impressive to see how quickly and professionally they responded,” she said.
Under current code, marijuana processing and production is allowed in light industrial zoned areas, which moratorium opponents have not opposed.
In question is the placement of grow operations in rural residential areas with lot sizes smaller than five acres, with concerns voiced about traffic, trespassers and proximity to children.
“I do not want this in my backyard and do not want my son growing up near a marijuana growing operation,” said Felicia Allen of Chimacum.
“As a citizen of the United States of America, I do not feel there is any justice for me or my neighbors, and if you have multiple people who don’t want it in our backyard, we shouldn’t have it in their backyard.”
In response, District 1 Commissioner Phil Johnson said that neighbors not liking a business was not grounds to prohibit the business if it is operating legally.
“This is a chance for Jefferson County to get it right, to derive a workable plan for the administration of this new industry,” said Peter Davis, who favors the moratorium’s extension.
“While I empathize with the business persons who are currently held up by the moratorium, I would urge the county to place the importance of doing things the right way ahead of doing things quickly.”
Growers have stated that if the moratorium is extended, it will endanger their ability to produce a 2015 crop.
“There were people who were playing by the rules, and if we extend the moratorium, they will miss the growing season,” said District 2 Commissioner David Sullivan.
“But we need to find a balance, and have a good reason for changing the rules.”
Port Townsend resident Gary Felder criticized the “NIMBY effect,” where people are opposed to new enterprises in their own backyards while supporting them elsewhere.
“I have property rights too,” Felder said.
“I think we need to stop messing with this son of a gun and let the free market that we all bow down to have its way with it.”
________
Jefferson County Editor Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or cbermant@peninsuladailynews.com.