The Marquette City Commission and the Marquette Planning Commission review the land development code amendments, zoning districts and buffer zones for marijuana establishments at a public hearing Wednesday at City Hall. (Journal photo by Jackie Jahfetson)

MARQUETTE — Since the legalization of adult-use recreational marijuana was approved by Michigan voters in November 2018, Marquette has been making strides to allow recreational marijuana establishments in the city; however, there are still a few concerns that need to be worked out.

The Marquette City Commission and Marquette Planning Commission held a work session Wednesday to review the land development code amendments associated with the businesses along with the type of establishments various zoning areas will allow.

Work on the matter began in January 2019, leading the city commission to temporarily opt out of allowing the establishments last February.

The type and number of licenses to be allowed was revisited in September when the city commission resolved not to limit numbers or types of licenses. The opt-in ordinance was passed on Oct. 15, with an effective date of March 1.

When the Marquette City Commission passed the ordinance, the planning commission had to develop the language and the zoning requirements, said Joy Cardillo, chair of the planning commission. With each zoning district considered, the planning commission examines it thoroughly, making sure it fits with public safety and welfare but also fits the “character of that zoning district,” Cardillo said.

“We go through (the) best-case scenario. What are the benefits for the community? What’s the idealized version of all of this? And I think with marijuana, one of the main things is it obviously promotes business,” Cardillo said. “… It’s also part of our world to look at (the) worst-case scenario. We do this with everything. What are the possible ways that this might be a nuisance? … But then we also try to temper that by saying, ‘How likely is this worst-case scenario to happen and does it outweigh the public good?'”

Based on the buffer zones put in place on the Third Street corridor, there are a select few properties that are eligible, as some parts are more commercial and some are more residential, Cardillo added.

Cardillo and a few members of the planning commission suggested that it’s important to take slower steps before going full force on this topic and not being able to recover if something goes awry.

“When we started this process we were looking around for best practices, looking at Colorado and Oregon, places where it’s been around,” said Marquette Planning Commissioner Sarah Mittlefehldt. “We kind of did our best and I think a majority of the members of the planning commission were to echo what Joy was saying. We really want to take this precautionary approach. In many articles on Colorado… when the horse left the gates, it was really difficult to backpedal and put into effect any kind of systematic code.”

Concerns about smell produced by marijuana facilities were also discussed at the meeting and Cardillo noted that these exhaust systems are designed to “mitigate” the smell and the effectiveness of the systems will have to be taken on “faith,” she said.

“The phrase I hear coming back time and time again is health, safety, well-being and character of our city,” Marquette City Commissioner Paul Schloegel said. “These are the things that we have to keep in mind and we have to hold true to all residents, not just the pros or the cons of what we’re talking about whether it’s with this marijuana rule or anything else that’s coming down the pipe.”

Though this process has been long and ongoing since it was legalized, Commissioner Fred Stonehouse advised the public that this change is in effect and it’s important to slowly ease with caution.

“It’s interesting that for a very long time people complained vehemently that they wanted marijuana,” Stonehouse said. “Now that we effectively have it, it’s just discussing the best way we deliver it. We have people saying it’s not enough … but guys, you got to take a step back and realize, we’re on the highway. It’s getting done. It’s going to change, we’re not going back down that road. We’re only going this way on the road, so you need to be patient.”

There will be a public hearing on recommended land development code amendments on Feb. 10.

Jackie Jahfetson can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 248. Her email address is jjahfetson@miningjournal.net.