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Recommendation to receive supporting documentation into the record, conclude the hearing; adopt an urgency ordinance extending a temporary limitation (moratorium) on all check cashing uses Citywide for six months; declaring the urgency thereof; and declaring this ordinance shall take effect immediately, read, adopted as read and laid over to the next regular meeting of City Council for final reading. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
On July 8, 2008, the City Council adopted a six-month moratorium prohibiting all check cashing uses citywide (Exhibit A - Ordinance No. 08-0013). The moratorium is set to expire on January 8, 2009.
In response to the moratorium, staff held several meetings with advocates and opponents of check cashing businesses, as well as representatives of various community groups in the City. On December 4, 2008, the Planning Commission reviewed the proposed changes to check cashing regulations suggested by staff, which consisted of changes to the definition of check cashing, limitations on where check cashing uses can be located, and additional performance standards for these uses (Exhibit B - Planning Commission Staff Report).
After hearing staff recommendations, the Planning Commission determined that the issue required more analysis, particularly with respect to the proposed limitations on the location of check cashing businesses, and voted to continue the item to a date uncertain. Staff was directed to provide additional information regarding where check cashing uses could be located and recommend that the City Council extend the moratorium for six months while the additional analysis is done.
This letter was reviewed by Assistant City Attorney Michael Mais on December 15, 2008 and by Budget Management Officer Victoria Bell on December 19, 2008.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action on this matter is requested on January 6, 2009 as the Interim Ordinance is set to expire on January 8, 2009.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impa...
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