Douglas planners have passed on a proposed medical marijuana ordinance, asking the city council instead to extend its moratorium another six months in hopes the state will clear up the issue.

“I’m happy to table it and see what the state comes up with,” said Commission Alexa Urquhart after the public hearing Wednesday night.

Douglas first addressed the possibility of a medical marijuana facility in July 2010 when the zoning board of appeals was approached by a resident who wanted to open a caregiver operation in the city.

Zoning board officials passed the responsibility for developing the proper zoning to the planning commission where the issue has been for about a year.

The planning commission drafted rules that allowed caregiver operations in commercial and light industrial districts only, not in homes.

The proposed ordinance forbid medical marijuana sites from being within 50 feet of any residential zoning districts, within 1,000 feet of a school, nursery or daycare, within 500 feet of a church, library or public park, or a “historic area” or the city. Douglas does not have a formal historic district.

The city would also keep a yearly license for each caregiver.

Resident Tony Ragona called the proposed ordinance bad social policy.

“It could prove bad for the city’s image, budget, residents, taxpayers, tourists and property owners,” he wrote in a memo to the city. The rules could create liabilities for the community, he said.

“The ordinance fails because it does not adequately represent the health, safety and welfare interests of the city’s sick and infirmed,” he wrote.

Commissioner Louise Pattison defended the proposed ordinance, saying it is well written.

Marijuana, she said, “is like having a pharmacy. I think it’s a commercial enterprise.”

The city moratorium on medical marijuana-related activities expires May 7.

The city council could take up the issue at its meeting at 7 p.m. Monday at city hall, 86 W. Center St.

Holland allows caregivers to be a home-based business but limits where a caregiver can set up shop. Holland Township allows caregivers in residential areas only.

Saugatuck city and Laketown and Saugatuck townships do not have ordinances.

For more on the issue, visit http://www.hollandsentinel.com/news/x503119004/Douglas-plans-hearing-for-medical-marijuana-ordinance

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