TITLE
Recommendation to declare ordinance amending the Long Beach Municipal Code by amending Chapter 5.92 to reinstate language related to the operation of adult-use dispensaries in mixed-used buildings in Downtown Long Beach, read and adopted as read. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
On June 15, 2021, the City Council approved an Ordinance amendment (ORD-21-0021) to the LBMC to amend language in Title 5, to amend and restate the Downtown Planned Development District (PD-30), amend Section 5.92.420, Section 5.92.760, Section 5.92.765, and Section 5.92.955, to allow the operation of adult-use cannabis dispensaries within mixed-use buildings in downtown by way of conditional use permit approval. The intent of the Ordinance amendment within Chapter 5.92 was to address how the provisions of the respective Title 5 sections would apply to adult-use dispensaries in Downtown Long Beach.
In summary, the Ordinance amendments executed the following:
· Allowed dispensaries to be located within buildings that contain residential units;
· Superseded Title 5 provisions to the contrary and required these uses to adhere to the high storefront transparency standards that reinforce the Downtown’s walkable environment, while still complying with the Title 5 requirements that limit product visibility from the public right-of-way; and,
· Harmonized PD-30 transparency requirements generally within Title 5 requirements that allow lower storefront transparency (Building Design) and require posting of certain interior signs (Interior Signage), by reinforcing the PD-30 transparency requirements and eliminating any potential conflict between the regulations.
On May 17, 2022, the City Council approved an Ordinance amendment (ORD-22-0015) to the LBMC Chapter 5.90 and Chapter 5.92 to amend the regulations relating to the Cannabis Equity Program and cannabis dispensary business licenses, and adopt a Resolution authorizing the City Manager, or designee, to establish a Request for Proposals (RFP) fo...
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