By ZEINAB NAJM
Sunday Times Newspapers
TAYLOR — The City Council rejected the first reading of the two motions that would begin the process of allowing recreational marijuana commerce in the city.
A vote finally took place during the July 19 City Council meeting following months of discussion and postponement of the first reading of both ordinances.
First was the recreational marijuana commercial businesses ordinance which failed on a 4-2 vote. Councilman Ira Slaven was absent.
Council Chair Doug Geiss and Councilmember Charley Johnson voted in favor while Councilmembers Jill Brandana, Angie Winton, Herman Ramik and Lindsey Rose voted against.
The second vote was on an ordinance to amend the city’s ordinance relating to the zoning definition by adding verbiage specifically for recreational marijuana establishments. The council voted against the ordinance 4-2.
Geiss and Johnson voted against with Brandana, Winton, Ramik and Rose voting in favor.
Both votes came after almost two hours of discussion and public comments on the topic. Medical marijuana facilities were approved by the previous council, but there is of yet no application process.
Another possible obstacle for the city council is a public initiative which would have to meet a petition deadline of 5 p.m. Aug. 2 at 5 p.m. to make it on the November ballot.
Once submitted, City Clerk Cynthia Bower has to verify signatures and the council has to make the determination whether they believe it is legal, City Attorney Ed Plato said.
The deadline to get the ballot language to Wayne County is 4 p.m. Aug. 16.
If the residents approve the proposal, the council would have 180 days to take action on the marijuana ordinance by either accepting as is, amending or repealing it.
One aspect the ballot proposal cannot control is the zoning decision. The council would have to determine zoning and decide on a selection process for the facilities.
There would be limitations of where the facilities are located due to distance from schools, playgrounds, licensed childcare and more. Geiss said both of the ordinances are patterned on Kalamazoo’s ordinances, which have been approved.
The city is looking at two industrial areas where facilities could possibly open up, which Geiss said there are roughly three locations that meet the classification. Those classifications are heavy industry, trucking, and trailer storage.
“Distances would depend on where one (facility) is located, which one came first, and if it was within 1,000 feet it could not be built,” he said.
Geiss said properties which are used for trucking companies are on I-94 and Inkster Road, along with the Holland Industrial Park.
Brandana asked several questions relating to the possible zoning for recreational facilities. She added that there are industrial districts at Ecorse and Pardee roads, and on Pelham and Pennsylvania roads, and on Monroe Street, to which Geiss said there wasn’t one on Monroe.
She asked what other current areas or districts of Industrial 2 are in Taylor.
Geiss listed Inkster Road south of Ecorse Road, a gas tank farm at Telegraph and Ecorse roads —which has no open area — Pelham south of Wick, a large parcel at I-75 and Pennsylvania Road, and parcels at Pardee and Ecorse roads.
“But that would be within a certain distance of the Taylor North Central Little League, so that would be exempt,” he said of the last area.
Adding Industrial 1 areas in the zoning also was mentioned.
Several residents spoke before the vote, expressing their concerns and options. Topics included, the failure of the council to take action on the item; union language; researching other cities; consideration for the future of the city; the council making good business decisions for the city; and a suggestion that the council put its own proposal on the ballot.
Most residents also spoke out either in support or against recreational marijuana in the city.
At the July 5 council meeting, Geiss provided an estimate of how many parcels could be considered.
“While you’re not setting a hard cap at six, the distances gives you probably about six locations.”
Brandana said at the same meeting that the ballot proposal requires a minimum of 12. Winton said zoning is the best model to use instead a set number of facilities.
The council voted July 5 to postpone both of the ordinances to July 19 due to remaining questions council members had.
(Zeinab Najm can be reached at [email protected].)