CLEARLAKE >> An ad hoc committee was formed during the Clearlake City Council Meeting Thursday to address concerns with medicinal marijuana cultivation.
The committee will be charged with reviewing and recommending amendments to the city’s marijuana cultivation ordinance — including nuisance abatement codes, regulations regarding cultivation on vacant properties and limiting the permissible amount of plants cultivated.
Councilmen Russell Perdock and Bruno Sabatier will represent the city in the committee. Clearlake residents David Hughes, Vincent Metzger, Liz Byrd and Keith Ahart will represent the public, with Dan Griffin and Pete Loustalot acting as alternates.
Lake County Fire Protection District chief Willie Sapeta will also sit on the committee.
During its May 30 meeting, the council raised fines for noncompliant medicinal marijuana grows.
Initially the council adopted a no-grow ordinance, but was forced to repeal it after receiving a petition from citizens.
Still concerned over allegations of crime and other issues associated with grows, the council agreed to amend aspects of the ordinance to make it more effective in halting large-scale commercial grows. For each plant above the allowed amount, a $1,000 dollar fine will be charged. Additionally, if the property owner has not reached compliance after 10 days, a fee of $100 a day will be included.
It was during the May 30 meeting that the council decided to form an ad hoc committee to develop long-term solutions to concerns regarding cultivation.
Currently, cultivation of medical marijuana is prohibited on vacant lots or parcels, within 600 feet of a public or private school or a child care center, and properties with multi-family dwellings. Cultivation is only allowed in mobile home parks if they possess a designated garden area set aside by park management or on a lot that is larger than 4,500 square feet.
While there is no height restriction, all outdoor cultivation must be screened from public view with solid wood fencing.
A total of six to 48 plants are allowed on a sliding scale, based on the size of the lot.
The council unanimously approved the committee appointments with a 5-0 vote.
Contact J. W. Burch, IV at 900-2022.