A public hearing will be held at Town Hall at 7 p.m. tonight as trustees weigh whether to allow the first medical marijuana dispensary in Mancos.
Local businessman Jim Cody first approached town trustees about establishing a medical marijuana dispensary in June. At that time, he complained the town's planning and zoning guidelines didn't allow for such business ventures.
Town officials went to work examining setback guidelines in Ordinance 420, and now trustees are slated to address amending the code to allow medical marijuana dispensaries. The town's planning and zoning commissioners have recommended the code changes.
Cody has partnered with the Beacon Wellness Group in Cortez to open the 1,800 square feet cultivation and dispensary center at 385 N. Willow.
All federal, state and local guidelines have been followed, records show.
At Wednesday's meeting, town trustees are also slated to address extending a moratorium on commercial businesses larger than 5,000 square feet.
A recent survey conducted by Town Hall found that three out of four area residents oppose chain stores from opening in Mancos.
Town trustees approved an initial 180-day moratorium in April.
Current zoning laws do not address large box stores, and the moratorium would provide officials with additional time to adopt proper zoning laws, according to a draft resolution.
tbaker@cortezjournal.com