EASTON — Nearly two months since opening a public hearing on the topic, the Easton Town Council has passed an ordinance revising the Town Code to regulate zoning for cannabis-related uses.
At its meeting Monday, the council voted to pass Ordinance 809 with amendments.
The amended ordinance permits the use of dispensaries through special exception in the central business commercial zoning district and the general commercial district. It also permits, through special exception, cannabis growing and processing facilities in the industrial zoning district and the business commercial zoning district.
On-site cannabis consumption establishments are prohibited in all of Easton’s zoning districts under the ordinance.
The passing of the ordinance comes about nine months after the state’s approval of various recreational cannabis uses took effect. In November, the council passed a six-month moratorium on businesses looking to produce or sell cannabis within the town limits, which expires May 9.
“If we don’t vote today, we must at the next meeting in order to be handled before our moratorium expires,” Council President Frank Gunsallus said at the meeting Monday.
The council waited to vote on the topic while the General Assembly discussed the topic in Annapolis. At the council meeting April 1, Easton Town Planner Lynn Thomas said the Maryland Senate had passed a bill that is different from the House of Delegates. He said said that, considering the General Assembly would be adjourning, the town should have the information it needs to vote at April 15’s Town Council meeting.
At the meeting Monday, Easton Director of Planning and Zoning Miguel Salinas said that House Bill 805, which deals with cannabis restrictions, had gone through the Senate and House of Delegates and is now awaiting Gov. Wes Moore’s signature.
Salinas listed the amendments to Easton’s ordinance, including a separation requirement of a half mile between dispensaries. Salinas said that is in House Bill 805.
Salinas said other amendments to the ordinance include the addition of parking standards for dispensaries and the addition of a requirement that a professional engineer or equivalent qualified professional certify that that the proposed odor measures established effectively eliminate outdoor odors.
Before voting on the ordinance, Ward 2 Council Member Don Abbatiello asked that they change the ordinance to permit cannabis growing and processing facilities in the industrial zoning district through special exception, rather than just permitting it.
“There’s one industrial area in particular that is off of Dover Road that backs right up to an entire neighborhood,” Abbatiello said. “I’m sure that those individuals would at least like the opportunity to share their concerns or joy that a growing facility is going in that area.”
Abbatiello said this change would not prohibit growing and processing facilities from the industrial zoning district, it would just give residents “an extra opportunity” to voice their thoughts.
Gunsallus made a motion at the meeting to approve the ordinance with the amendments from the town and the amendment requested by Abbatiello, which passed.
At the end of the meeting, Abbatiello thanked Thomas, Salinas and Town Attorney Sharon VanEmburgh for their work on the ordinance.
“This has been a long process,” he said. “It’s been a difficult process. And I really do appreciate all their effort to give us the best information so that we can make a decision.”
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