Planning Commission will discuss the Ag Commissioner’s proposals for hemp ordinance. Meeting Room at Permit Sonoma on Ventura Ave. December the Supervisors will vote. If you have comment they need to be in right away.
Sonoma County Planning Commission
STAFF REPORT
DATE:November 21 , 2019 TIME: 1: 20pm
STAFF:
Tony Linegar, Agricultural Commissioner/Sealer of Weights & Measures
Andrew Smith,
Deputy Agricultural Commissioner
Board of Supervisors Hearing Scheduled for December 16, 2019
SUMMARY APPLICANT:
Sonoma County Department of Agriculture/Weights & Measures
LOCATION:Countywide
SUBJECT: Industrial Hemp Ordinance
PROPOSAL:
Amend Chapter 26 of the Sonoma County Code to limit cultivation of industrial hemp to certain
Zoning Districts, and make clarifying changes to definitions and allowed uses related to industrial hemp cultivation, processing, and extraction
.
Amend Chapter 3 7 to add certain zoning restrictions on industrial hemp cultivation in the AR
(Agriculture and Residential) and RRD (Resources and Rural Development) Zoning Districts.
ENVIRONMENTAL
Categorically exempt under CEQA Guidelines Section 15307 (Actions by DETERMINATION:
Regulatory Agencies for Protection of Natural Resources), Section 15308 (Actions
by Regulatory Agencies for Protection of the Environment), and Section
15061(b)(3) (Common Sense Exemption).
RECOMMENDATION
:
Staff recommends that the Planning Commission Adopt a Resolution recommending that the Board of Supervisors approve Zoning Code amendments to Chapter 26 of the Sonoma County Code to limit cultivation of industrial hemp within certain zoning code designations and make other clarifying changes to
definitions and allowed uses related to industrial hemp cultivation, processing, and extraction..
Comments should be sent to:
SonomaAg@sonoma-county.org
Richard Fogg sonomafogg@aol.com
Larry Reed larry@reedgilliland.com
Paula Cook pcook@ch-sc.org
Cameron Mauritson cameron@mauritsonfarms.com
John Lowry JohnLowryCA@gmail.com
Some comments on the proposed ordinance from local groups:
- We support hemp cultivation in the agricultural zones, LIA, LEA, DA, providing the parcel is 10 acres in size and IF there are 1,000-foot setbacks to the property line of sensitive spots (parks, schools – including pre-schools- and neighboring residences).
- We do not support cultivation in residential zones (RR and AR) which are both designated as primarily residential in the General Plan or in RRD which is to be preserved for its resources.
- We do not support hemp cultivation in the five impaired watersheds regardless of the zoning.
- We do not support hemp cultivation in any areas of high fire severity zones regardless of zoning particularly if it means the stringing new lines or adding more electricity by whatever means…new transformers, heavier wires, more wires to meet increased electricity demand for processing, water production, housing etc.