COUNTY EYES EXTENDING MEDICAL POT MORATORIUM

To address concerns raised by various law enforcement agencies and
the possible threat to public safety posed by such establishments,
Santa Barbara County supervisors on Tuesday will be asked to continue
a moratorium on approving medical marijuana dispensaries for another year.

Concerns also have been raised about the use of unregistered and
illegal pesticides in the cultivation of medical marijuana,
particularly regarding the pesticide residue on edible marijuana
products, according to a county staff report.

Staff is recommending that the supervisors extend the existing
urgency ordinance, which was approved in January this year, for
another 12 months.

That would allow adequate time to study ways to address existing
medical marijuana dispensaries in the area and decide whether to
allowing them to continue to operate as legal, non-conforming
establishments; eliminate them by payment of just compensation;
remove them without compensation after a reasonable amortization
period; or determine that the existing dispensaries are a nuisance
and provide for immediate elimination.

The board will also consider whether to confirm the action of the
Historic Landmarks Advisory Commission and designate the Frances Rich
Beach Cabana as a county historic landmark.

The Cabana is located at 4353 Marine Drive in the Hope Ranch area.
Land immediately surrounding the cabana, including several mature
cypress trees and a private beach access pathway and staircase, would
be included in the designation.

The site was nominated for landmark status in June by the property
owners, Lee and Julia Carr.

The Board of Supervisors will meet at 9 a.m. in the County
Administration Building board hearing room, fourth floor, 105 E.
Anapamu St. in Santa Barbara.

The public can address the board in person or by using the remote
audio and video equipment at the hearing room at the Betteravia
Government Center at 511 E. Lakeside Parkway in Santa Maria.

For those who cannot make it to either location, there is a live
stream of the Board of Supervisors' meetings and copies of agendas
and minutes of the meetings at www.countyofsb.org