Good afternoon,
Work continues on a draft ordinance regarding recreational marijuana establishments within the City of Marquette. The City Commission will host a public hearing on this matter at their meeting Tuesday, October 15, beginning at 6:00 p.m., in Commission Chambers at City Hall, 300 W. Baraga Ave. It is anticipated that the draft ordinance 682 will be adopted at this meeting.
To provide a brief summary, at their September 30 meeting, the City Commission discussed three maps indicating different levels of buffer zones, or areas where marijuana activity may not be allowed because of potential conflict. The three maps are outlined below, with the colored areas reflecting buffer zones:
Map 1: Allowable Areas With School Buffers
This map indicates 500 ft. buffer zones surrounding schools throughout the city.
* Map 2: Allowable Areas With Buffers Including Designated Parks
This map indicates the school buffers, and adds 500 ft. buffers around churches, daycare centers, public parks, and State licensed substance use disorder programs.
City staff has recommended this option, and the MDDA Board of Directors is supportive of this recommendation.
Map 3: Allowable Areas With Buffers Including Areas Under the Authority of Parks & Recreation
Along with the buffers in Map 2, Map 3 also includes additional public areas such as a 500 ft. buffer around the multi-use bike path. Under this option, most of downtown would fall within the buffer zones, with the exceptions being a two block area of Third Street (between Prospect and Park Streets) and a few other parcels.
Feel free to attend the Commission meeting to speak to this issue during the Public Hearing, or for further information visit the City of Marquette website at:
https://www.marquettemi.gov/marijuana/. I am available by phone at 228-9475 or email at
[email protected] should you have any questions.
Sincerely,
Rebecca Salmon
Executive Director
Marquette Downtown Development Authority
337 W. Washington St.
Marquette, MI 49855
Phone: 906-228-9475
Web: www.downtownmarquette.org
