Posted November 17, 2022
On November 16, 2022, the City of Tucson Planning Commission held two public hearings on proposed amendments to the Unified Development Code (UDC) related to marijuana dispensaries and the Infill Incentive District (IID).
At the public hearing to review the proposed Medical and Adult-use Marijuana Special Exception UDC Amendment, the Planning Commission voted 7-2 to recommend the proposal to a Mayor and Council public hearing, without support for the addition of a Mayor and Council Special Exception land use procedure to marijuana dispensaries in C-2 and C-3 zones. The Planning Commission recommended approval of the remaining portions of this proposed code change:
- Removing the restriction on Marijuana Establishment Licenses (Adult-use only licenses) in UDC Section 4.9.9.E.1, Use Specific Standards;
- Changing the definition of Marijuana Dispensary to include Medical Marijuana Licenses, Dual Use Licenses, and Marijuana Establishment Licenses (i.e. to encompass both dual-license and single-license dispensaries, right now only medical license or dual license are permitted) in UDC Section 11.3.9.F.
- Revising Sections 5.6.8.A.2.g and 5.6.8.B.2.g to codify a previous Zoning Administrator Determination Letter (Attachment F) clarifying that the Marijuana Off-Site Cultivation Use is a wholesaling use and not a retail use.
The Planning Commission also had a public hearing on the proposed Infill Incentive District (IID) Update UDC Amendment, the Commission reviewed and took testimony related to the following updates:
- Alllow residential development in industrial zones Incentivize affordable housing
- Update and clarify design standards for Downtown Links / Stone Ave Corridor
- Integrate the Individual Parking Plan (IPP) into the IID
- Adjust the IID boundary along several corridors
- Minor text clarifications
- Sunset date removal
The Commission ultimately voted 9-0 to recommend approval of this proposed code change, with additional recommendations to express support for a future park on the former Nearmont Landfill site, and to direct staff to consider provisions in future IID revisions to further reduce car-centric environments, including superblocks.
Both of these proposed amendments are scheduled for public hearings with Mayor and Council for their review and decision on December 20, 2022.
You may find all the materials from that meeting at the following webpage: https://www.tucsonaz.gov/pdsd/planning-commission.