The Durango City Council would like to see buffer zones put in place to prevent marijuana shops from operating too close together.
On Tuesday, the board instructed staff to work on new zoning rules that will be presented in January.
Councilors did not discuss how big the buffers around each business would need to be.
But Mayor Christina Rinderle and others want to avoid pot businesses opening in clusters downtown, along U.S. Highway 160 from the intersection of U.S. Highway 160/550 at the DoubleTree to the western edge of town, and in other areas.
Implementing the rules will likely take an extension of the recently implemented 60-day moratorium on new marijuana businesses, Assistant Director of the Community Development Department Nicol Killian said.
Councilor Dean Brookie suggested the council look at capping the total number of marijuana businesses in town.
But Councilor Sweetie Marbury encouraged the council to think about marijuana shops as they would liquor stores.
“You don’t stop liquor stores from opening up if they can,” she said.
She also suggested the city send a letter to U.S. Rep. Scott Tipton and Sens. Michael Bennet and Cory Gardner encouraging them to protect Colorado’s decision to legalize marijuana.
President-elect Donald Trump has nominated Sen. Jeff Sessions, R-Ala., to be the next U.S. attorney general, and he opposes marijuana legalization.
Marijuana has brought in more than $1 million in tax revenue for the city, and Marbury does not want to see the industry dismantled.
“We need to stand up and make our voices heard,” she said.
Assistant to the City Manager Sherri Dugdale said the city should consider the timing of a letter to ensure it is effective.
mshinn@durangoherald.com
