KALAMAZOO LOOKS TO REGULATE MEDICAL-MARIJUANA GROWING

KALAMAZOO - The Kalamazoo City Commission will consider new ordinance
language Tuesday night to regulate the supplying of medical marijuana
and the installation of wind turbines that create electricity.

City staff is proposing that Kalamazoo follow the lead of some other
Michigan communities and establish rules that will categorize small,
medical marijuana-growing operations as home occupations.

That would allow the city to apply its existing home-occupation rules
that regulate things like operating hours and require that the
operator be a resident in the home.

In addition, officials are recommending additional rules that would
outlaw the location of small distribution sites within 1,000 feet of
a school and limit a provider to having "no more than five qualifying
patients" as customers within any calendar year.

Officials say the proposed rules would not grant immunity from
potential criminal prosecution if a provider fails to comply with
other rules in Michigan's Medical Marijuana Act or federal law.

Kalamazoo's language, similar to an ordinance already adopted by the
city of Grand Rapids, is prompted by a ballot measure approved by
state voters in November 2008 that allows the use of marijuana by
patients with medically recognized, debilitating physical conditions.
It also allows registered individuals to grow limited amounts of
marijuana for certified patients.

Regulating Turbines

On another front, green-energy initiatives have prompted city
officials to propose an ordinance that sets regulations on location,
design, construction and operation of wind turbines used to generate
electrical power.

Rob Bauckham, assistant city planner, said the Kalamazoo area
currently has four operating wind turbines, and interest in the
alternative power source is expected to grow as the cost of the
technology comes down.

Kalamazoo's proposed ordinance is patterned after language already
adopted by 24 other communities nationwide, including Portage, Battle
Creek and Grand Rapids.

The wind turbines are divided into categories for building-mounted
and freestanding systems, and the propose language regulates the
height, setback requirements, spacing allowances, nuisance factors
and general design of the technology. If the proposed ordinances are
accepted for first reading, commissioners are expected to set Sept.
20 public hearings on both issues before they're considered for final adoption.

Other Business

Tuesday's busy commission agenda also includes tax-break proposals
for three Kalamazoo businesses that are proposing total investment of
about $17.5 million.

Commissioners also are expected to recommend that the state revoke a
property-tax break for the Kalamazoo Gazette after the newspaper
announced earlier this year it would shutter its downtown printing
operation, resulting in nearly 70 employee layoffs. The tax break was
granted for installation of a new press and the promise of creating
and retaining jobs.

The usual Monday night meeting is delayed to Tuesday because of the
Labor Day holiday and begins at 7 p.m., in the second-floor
commission chambers at Kalamazoo City Hall.