The Times - Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley

DAYTON - The city of Dayton planning commission will hold a continuation of a public hearing next week regarding updating the city's zoning code to address marijuana production and sales. The hearing will be held during the commission's regular July meeting on Tuesday, beginning at 6:30 p.m. in City Hall.

A revised draft city zoning ordinance will be presented during the meeting. Under the proposed rules, marijuana retail stores will be a permitted use in commercial zones in the city, but not in residential zones. Marijuana production and processing facilities will be allowed in fringe commercial zones, but not in central commercial zones. Production and processing will also be allowed in industrial zones.

All locating of marijuana facilities will be subject to state restrictions, including proximity to schools, playgrounds, libraries and day care centers, as well as other restrictions. The proposed zoning language also includes numerous restrictions on how marijuana production, processing and retail facilities must operate. For example, all production, processing and sales of marijuana must take place in closed buildings, with no activity visible from the outside.

The draft ordinance also addresses medical cannabis. Growing and processing of medical cannabis will be allowed as a conditional use in fringe commercial and industrial zones.

Members of the public are again invited to give oral or written comments to the commission during the hearing. After the hearing is closed, the commission will vote on whether to recommend adoption of the new ordinance. The Dayton City Council will vote whether or not to adopt the changes at a later meeting. Last year the city passed a moratorium on establishment of marijuana businesses. It expires September 23.