Dave Wiegand, member, Marquette Township Planning Commission

MARQUETTE — A public hearing on a draft ordinance that would allow marijuana establishments in Marquette Township could potentially be held in April.

Members of the Marquette Township Planning Commission worked through a potential ordinance to allow marijuana businesses in the municipality on Wednesday.

Two major topics of discussion were what type of establishments and how many of each would be allowed with a special use permit.

Commissioner Dave Wiegand said limiting the amount of businesses would give the township board the option to review the number after a certain time frame, giving the township more control over the situation.

“I know that some of our neighbors have left that wide open with the intent of letting the market determine, and I guess I look at it from the other perspective,” Wiegand said. “I think that we should determine a smaller number and we can change it if there is a lot of interest in it. But I don’t think we should just … take in a dozen applications for an area and then try to control it because that’s kind of closing the barn door after the horse is gone.”

The ordinance language commissioners suggested would allow two marijuana growers or excess growers, two processors, two transporters, two provisioning centers and three marijuana retailers. All of the establishments would require a special-use permit.

At previous meetings the commission devised draft language for where the establishments would be allowed within the township.

Marquette Township Planning and Zoning Administrator Jason McCarthy said the next step would be to bring the changes back to the commission for approval and eventually to the township board for its approval.

“If (it’s) sufficient at that time we would then send it to our legal council for our review … and let’s say it comes back without any issues and the planning commission is supportive of that.” McCarthy said. “We would then hold a public hearing to hear from people. Because that is what this is all about is getting the input of our residents and business owners to provide their input on what we are proposing.”

McCarthy said a vacancy on the Planning Commission could slow the process down and encouraged interested residents or business owners to apply.

Lisa Bowers can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 242. Her email address is lbowers@miningjournal.net.