Rising Sun commissioners start work on storefront cannabis rules, ask planning commission to draft zoning language

The Rising Sun Board of Commissioners discussed how to regulate storefront cannabis sales at its Nov. 14 meeting and directed the town administrator to take draft ordinance language to the planning commission for recommendation.

Town Administrator Calvin explained that, because the state authorizes cannabis sales, the town needs to adopt definitions and a table of permissible uses in its zoning code if it wants to limit where storefront retailers may operate. "In the absence of having that allowed, somebody can come in and operate that business in any zoning district in your town," the administrator said, noting the town can place legally permissible conditions and location limits in the zoning code.

Commissioners raised concerns about siting near day-care centers and downtown businesses, aesthetics and traffic impacts. One commissioner cited the earlier dispute over a vape shop as a cautionary example of what can happen when code language does not address a new business type. Several commissioners said they were generally in agreement to move forward with drafting regulations and recommended the planning commission review proposed language before the board considers adoption.

The mayor offered a contact at the Maryland Municipal League to help obtain sample ordinance language, and one commissioner said the Bel Air ordinance provided a workable example. The transcript shows no formal vote on zoning policy; the board's direction was procedural: to have staff and the planning commission develop and recommend regulatory language on storefront cannabis sales.

What's next: Town staff and the planning commission will work on proposed zoning definitions, permissible-use tables and recommended conditions for cannabis retail; the planning commission will make a recommendation to the mayor and commissioners for subsequent action.