Council to hold first reading on marijuana ordinance revisions

The Bainbridge Island City Council will conduct its first reading tonight over Bainbridge's redrafted marijuana business rules.

The Bainbridge Island City Council will conduct its first reading tonight over Bainbridge’s redrafted marijuana business rules.

The council approved an ordinance regulating marijuana businesses earlier this month with a six-month sunset date.

This week’s amendments will finalize the ordinance and remove its automatic expiration.

Along with other revisions, the council decided last week to move marijuana retail to the Day Road business-industrial zone along with growing and processing.

Currently the ordinance allows marijuana retail in neighborhood service centers at Lynwood Center, Rolling Bay and Island Center.

The change would address numerous concerns made to the city from Rolling Bay residents who oppose a retail outlet in their neighborhood center.

In addition, the council asked to remove the energy requirements for marijuana-growing businesses.

The redraft will no longer require growers’ to have a percentage of its energy come from island-generated resources or be renewable.

The city may however, request documentation or monitoring reports on growers’ energy consumption.

The Bainbridge Island City Council meets at 7 p.m. Monday, June 9 in city hall.