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City Council Minutes—June 25, 2012
At 7:00 p.m. Mayor Pro Tern Erica Pickett called the regularly scheduled Anacortes City Council study
session of June 25, 2012 to order. City Councilmembers Eric Johnson, Ryan Walters, Erica Pickett, Brad
Adams and Bill Turner were present. Cynthia Richardson and Brian Geer were absent.
Anacortes Farmer's Market Update
Market Director Keri Knapp updated Council on the 2012 season at the Farmer's Market which opened
May 12 in the newly paved Depot plaza and runs on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. through October 27.
Ms. Knapp described recent enhancements to the market including weekly workshops, live music, new
vendors with new products and a wider range of foods, and a Wednesday evening market from 4 p.m. to
7 p.m. through September 5t". She reported on steadily climbing vendor sales and plans for winter and
holiday markets in the season ahead.
Medical Marijuana and Collective Gardens
Assistant Planning Director Don Measamer provided some background on the legislative history of
medical marijuana in Washington State and specifically RCW 69.51A.085 regarding collective gardens.
He said cities and towns may adopt and enforce zoning requirements, business license requirements,
health and safety requirements, and business taxes on the production, processing or dispensing of
cannabis or cannabis products. Mr. Measamer introduced a draft ordinance that would provide such
regulations. He reported that the Planning Commission held a public hearing on May 9, 2012 and
recommended approval of the proposed ordinance with some changes including allowing collective
gardens in both LM1 and Industrial zones and reducing the separation distance to 500 LF from specified
incompatible uses.
Mr. Measamer reviewed each section of the draft ordinance and answered questions from
councilmembers focusing largely on the appropriate locations for collective gardens. Staff agreed to
prepare a consolidated map displaying the available locations at different separation distances. Mr.
Measamer asked for councilmember feedback on the proposed license fees. He advised that staff would
revise the draft ordinance per Planning Commission and City Council suggestions and would bring it back
before City Council in July for further consideration.
There being no further business, at approximately 7:45 p.m. the regularly scheduled Anacortes City
Council study session of June 25, 2012 adjourned.
Anacortes City Council Study Session Minutes June 25, 2012 1