Submitted by San Juan County.

The Planning Commission will take public testimony on the proposed marijuana production and processing development regulations. The public hearing will begin around 8:45 a.m. on Friday, July 17, in the County Council Hearing Room, in the Legislative Building, located at 55 Second St., in Friday Harbor. To obtain testimony on an ordinance regulating marijuana production and processing facilities; amending SJCC 18.20.130, 18.30.030, 18.30.040, 18.30.460; and adding new sections.

After taking testimony, the Planning Commission will deliberate on the proposal and make a recommendation regarding its adoption to County Council. It is possible that the hearing will take place telephonically to comply with social distancing measures if they remain in effect through the hearing date. Details for participating over the phone are provided below. Notice will be posted to the county website if the hearing will be held in-person.

The proposal is intended to:

1. Adopt specific definitions of marijuana production and processing in the County’s development code.

2. Regulate marijuana production and processing as a specific use in the land use tables of the code.

3. Establish performance and siting standards to address potential adverse impacts to the environment, natural resource lands, public safety, rural character and neighborhood compatibility.

Interested parties are encouraged to submit written or oral comments regarding the staff recommendation. To view the hearing, visit https://www.sanjuanco.com/971/Planning-Commission-Meeting-Video.

Copies of the ordinance and staff reports are posted online at https://www.sanjuanco.com/1585/Marijuana. Contact Adam Zack, Planner III, to request a hard copy of the ordinance and for staff reports.

HOW TO COMMENT: The official comment period is July 1, through July 17. Written comments submitted prior to noon on July 16, will be copied for the Planning Commission unless they wish to review comments online. Please comment:

Via Mail: Before the public hearing, mail written comments to Adam Zack, Department of Community Development PO Box 947 Friday Harbor, WA 98250.

Via Email: Email comments to marijuanacomments@sanjuanco.com. Title the subject line: Marijuana Ordinance. For the record, include your full name and address.

Via Oral Testimony: To join by phone, please call 1-360-370-780 and use the meeting ID 865694#. Comments during the hearing may be submitted by email at councilpc@sanjuanco.com.

Copies: Provide 12 copies of written comments if you submit them to DCD after 12 p.m. on July 16, or if you distribute written comments at the public hearing.

Project Contact: Adam Zack at 360-370-7580 or adamz@sanjuanco.com.