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EXCERPT OF THE DRAFT MINUTES FOR PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING, <br />FEBRUARY 20, 2014 <br /> <br />Item 7A: Public Hearings <br />Matter of Proposed Amendments to the City of San Leandro Zoning Code in: <br /> Article 3, Section 1-304 Definitions <br /> Article 6, Section 2-606 CC Districts – Use Regulations <br /> Article 7, Sections 2-706 IG District – Use Regulations, 2-708 IP District – Use Regulations, and 2-712 <br />IG(AU) District – Use Regulations <br /> Article 17, Section 4-1704 Off-Street Parking and Loading Spaces Requirements related to a Medical <br />Marijuana Dispensary. (Barros) <br />Actions: Recommend Approval of the following to City Council: <br />A) Adopt the findings that this project is exempt under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) <br />per CEQA Guidelines, subsections (b)(2) and (b)(3) of Section 15061 as minor amendments of the <br />Zoning Code to provide for a Medical Marijuana Dispensary use in the IG, IG(AU), IP and CC zoning <br />districts with a Conditional Use Permit, because the amendments themselves will not have a significant <br />effect on the environment; and <br />B) Adopt an Ordinance Amending the Zoning Code to Add Regulations Related to Medical Marijuana <br />Dispensaries in Article 3, Section 1-304 Definitions; Article 6, Section 2-606 CC Districts – Use <br />Regulations; Article 7, Sections 2-706 IG District – Use Regulations, 2-708 IP District –- Use <br />Regulations, and 2-712 IG(AU) District – Use Regulations; and Article 17, Section 4-1704 Off-Street <br />Parking and Loading Spaces Required. <br />Planner Barros noted the need to amend four sections of the Zoning Code foreshadows the comprehensive <br />Zoning Code amendment proposal that staff is preparing to bring to the Commission in April. <br />Planner Barros noted that the proposed amendments proposed are necessary to implement the ordinance that <br />took effect on January 13, 2014 allowing one medical marijuana dispensary to operate with a conditional use <br />permit (CUP) under certain circumstances in San Leandro. Planner Barros stated, only about 400 parcels would <br />be considered eligible for a medical marijuana dispensary CUP. <br />The proposed Zoning Code changes also would add definitions, drawn from the ordinance for Medical <br />Marijuana Dispensary and Medical Marijuana. <br />Planner Barros said staff expects the medical marijuana dispensary to have the same demands for parking as a <br />retail use, so the change to Article 17 of the Zoning Code would specify a requirement of one space per 200 <br />square feet of the Dispensary. <br />In addition to implementing the medical marijuana dispensary ordinance, Planner Barros said staff believes the <br />proposed Zoning Code changes also furthers the Council’s long-term goals for the City’s fiscal health, healthy <br />community members, and even partnerships, compassion, communication and fairness throughout the City. The <br />specification of minimum distances from sensitive uses also supports the Council’s goal of safe neighborhoods <br />and safe streets. <br />In terms of conformance with San Leandro’s General Plan, Planner Barros said the General Plan aspires to <br />reshape the industrial areas in western and central San Leandro to meet the demands of a new economy. In <br />implementing the new Medical Marijuana Dispensary ordinance, she said, the proposed Zoning Code <br />amendments would promote economic diversity, retail diversity, reuse of older buildings and job opportunities <br />for residents . <br />The proposed amendments should be exempt from CEQA under Section 15061 as a minor amendment to the <br />Zoning Code, she added.