Negaunee City Councilor Bill Anderson, second from right, asks for clarification about a proposed marijuana establishment ordinance on Tuesday as city staff and other councilors and attendees look on. The council voted unanimously, with three members absent, to approve the first reading of a proposed ordinance that will allow marijuana establishments in industrial zones. The council will hold a public hearing during its regular meeting on Nov. 14 before considering the second reading and enaction of the ordinance. (Journal photo by Lisa Bowers)

NEGAUNEE — The first reading of a proposed ordinance to allow marijuana establishments only in industrial zones was unanimously approved during a special Negaunee City Council meeting on Tuesday.

Mayor David Kangas and Councilors Jim Kantola and Edward Karki were absent from the meeting.

The proposed language, which is subject to a public hearing and second reading on Nov. 14 per city charter, would go into effect Jan. 1 if approved by the council.

Under the proposed language, the former Tracy Mine in southeast Negaunee, the Kallioinen scrapyard along Buffalo Road, and the former wastewater treatment facility at 251 County Road 480 would be the only areas where marijuana establishments of any kind would be allowed.

An alternate ordinance, which would have allowed marijuana establishments in some areas of the city zoned Business 2 along the U.S. 41 corridor, was essentially rejected by councilors with the adoption of the original, more restrictive proposal.

“I was the one who wanted to see (what an expanded ordinance) would look like. I did not want to put any limitations on a business owner, regardless of what he wanted to sell,” Gladwell said. “However, since that time, I started talking to a few other people, specifically based on the individuals that are thinking about opening up an establishment here in the city of Negaunee way outside of our Irontown (downtown) district here. The fact that we are trying to promote development in the city, we have some potential interest there as well, too. My thought has changed as to where we should put these places. I am not opposed to putting them in industrial zones only now. We have the control there. I believe we have more control there than we would if we allowed them outside of those areas.”

Several amendments were made to ordinance language, including terminology changes requested by City Attorney Jeremy Pickens, a provision that requires establishments to be located more than 500 feet away from a school, and an expanded definition of schools to include any public or private building where “the primary use is academic education.”

Before registering to do business in the city, applicants would be required to obtain a special land-use permit from the planning commission for any marijuana establishment prior to registering with the city as required by the Michigan Regulation and Taxation of Marihuana Act.

Ordinance language also states the city would set up a selection process if multiple establishments apply for a permit to operate as a micro-business or provisioning center.

Under population guidelines set forth in the MRTMA only two micro-businesses or provisioning centers would be allowed within the city limits, but other establishments, such as processors, growers and transporters would not be limited in number.

Lisa Bowers can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 242.