Wilmington debates where marijuana dispensaries could open | retail

Maria Cabrera, Wilmington City Councilwoman | Photo courtesy of Wilmington City Council

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Determination of zoning

The city has five zoning categories that determine how land within the designated area can be used, including commercial, residential, manufacturing and industrial, waterfront and special use areas. Each of these categories is divided into land use subcategories.

The proposed ordinance allows four types of marijuana establishments, including marijuana cultivation, product manufacturing, testing and retail stores, to be permitted in both of the city’s manufacturing and industrial zones (M-1 and M-2), located primarily in east Wilmington are located, with areas spread over the entire site and three production and commercial areas on the water (W-1, W-2 and W-3).

Retail marijuana stores will also be permitted in four of the city’s business and retail commercial districts, including the secondary business center (C-2), secondary office and business center (C-2A), central retail (C-3) and business districts Headquarters (C-4).

And retail stores and testing facilities will also be permitted in the Waterfront Residential/Commercial District (W-4) with special approval from the Zoning Board.

The proposal also establishes parking requirements for testing centers and specifies that the minimum required parking space must be either one space per employee or one space per 2,000 square feet of gross floor area, whichever is greater.

The current version of the legislation also creates a 300-foot buffer zone, nearly the size of a football field, to separate these marijuana establishments from schools and residential areas.

8th District Councilman Nathan Field said some of his constituents opposed the proposal to allow commercial sales along areas such as Market and Union Streets and Pennsylvania and Lovering Avenues, arguing those areas are important access points to the city that are not should be lined with cannabis shops.

Frank Ursomarso, the longtime owner of Union Park Auto Dealerships in Wilmington, shares that concern and said he supports increasing the buffer zone to 500 feet, which would effectively ban cannabis businesses in those specific areas as well as the commercial zone as a whole.

“I think it detracts from the value of the real estate. This places the pharmacies too close to schools and houses where the children are, and that somehow tarnishes the appearance of the neighborhoods,” Ursomarso said.

Cabrera’s proposal originally called for a 100-foot buffer zone, but that was increased to 300 feet after a review by the city’s Planning Commission, which Cabrera said does not provide practical space for businesses to locate.

She said she supports a 300-foot school buffer zone, but has sent the proposal back to the Zoning Board of Adjustment and Planning Commission to consider reducing the buffer zone to 100 feet for residential areas.

Wilmington City Councilman James Spadola suggested starting with more restrictive zoning and then rolling it back as circumstances allow. | SPOTLIGHT DELAWARE PHOTO BY JACOB OWENS

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At-Large City Councilman James Spadola argued that there are still too many unknowns and suggested the city would start with more restrictive policies and then perhaps gradually ease them after assessing the climate once the Companies are back in operation.

However, Field also argued that the proposal raises several problems, including inadequate public outreach on the issue. He also said outdoor marijuana smoking, which is still illegal, is not currently policed ​​and believes the smell will deter visitors and essentially harm businesses across the city.

“What’s the benefit to the city of Wilmington? “Net-Net, as far as I can tell, the ‘pros’ of the rezoning proposal appear to be far outweighed by the ‘cons,'” Field said.

The proposal is not expected to have a negative fiscal impact on city revenue, but the potential revenue return from these businesses to the city is still unknown.

The Delaware Marijuana Control Act established a 15% sales tax on all recreational marijuana products collected by the state, but Cabrera noted that the city will benefit from payroll taxes and any business registration fees.

Others see potential benefits

The proposal has received support from small business advocates like Ayanna Khan, CEO of the Delaware Black Chamber of Commerce, who wrote a letter to the City Council asking lawmakers to limit the buffer zone to 100 feet to give underrepresented small business owners the opportunity able to promote economic growth and eliminate “outdated stigmas” in the cannabis industry.

Councilwoman Zanthia Oliver said she did not share her colleagues’ concerns about marijuana’s impact on the city’s reputation. | SPOTLIGHT DELAWARE PHOTO BY JACOB OWENS

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Third District Councilwoman Zanthia Oliver also believes the ordinance will create revenue that the city can use for various community initiatives and create safe facilities for people in the city who already use marijuana and may use it for unsafe reasons Obtain sources.

Oliver also doesn’t think bias against the companies will drive people away.

“So you think if there are two pharmacies, one down on the Riverfront and one on Governor Printz Boulevard, that will deter people from moving to Wilmington? Come on, you can’t tell me that,” she said.

Cabrera said she tries to urge community members to visit existing medical marijuana dispensaries, such as First State Compassion just outside the city limits, so people can get an idea of ​​how they actually operate.

Ultimately, however, she wants to reduce illegal marijuana sales in the city by providing access to regulated products. And while there’s no guarantee how many of the 14 retail licenses available in the county will actually end up in the city limits, Cabrera wants to make sure accessibility is guaranteed.

“It’s really the luck of the draw, but we shouldn’t make it unaffordable if they do it, I say. We should have at least one or two in our city that are accessible to residents,” Cabrera said.

The ordinance will go before the city’s Planning Commission for revision on Tuesday, October 22nd before going to the Community Development and City Planning Committee for review on Wednesday, October 23rd. A public hearing on the proposal will be held on November 7th.

Make your voice heard

The City of Wilmington Planning Commission will meet at the Louis L. Redding City/County Building at 800 N. French St. on Oct. 22 at 6 p.m. She will review Cabrera’s legislation and the public will have an opportunity to comment. Click here to view the agenda and further details.