Quiet Meeting but Smoke May Be on The Horizon

There were little or no surprises at the Monday, April 8 City Council Meeting. Even the consent agenda seemed to pass through without any efforts to pull items and probe deeper into those items, including the second reading of the City Land Development Code amendment allowing for the storage of collectible automobiles as a “conditional use” with the zoning districts. Restricts would be limited to the following items: All overhead doors shall not face street frontage; all storage and activity are internal to the building; only for storage of personal use vehicles, which are vehicles used for the private use of the individual who owns the vehicle; and sleeping quarters are prohibited. 

The “conditional use provision” gives city staff more control during the site-planreview of any projects. 

It was, therefore, a relatively subdued meeting. However, the one moment that might have had some members sit up and take notice came when former city councilor Ken  Honecker inquired as to what the city’s options might be should a referendum being added to the November ballot regarding the legalization of “recreational marijuana” be passed. 

Passage of that referendum would allow individuals 21 years of age or older to purchase recreational marijuana. Individuals would be allowed to possess up to three ounces (85 grams) with up to five grams in the form of concentrate. 

Marijuana Treatment Centers would be allowed to sell marijuana to adults for personal use. The Florida State Legislature could provide by state law for the licensure of entities of other existing Marijuana Treatment Centers to cultivate and sell marijuana products. 

Voters in 2016 legalized the sale of Medical Marijuana on Marco Islandby a vote of 71% in favor of the referendum vote. The City of Marco Island adopted a referendum prohibiting the sale of recreational marijuana products on 8/18/2020 by a vote of 4192 to 2565 in favor of the ordinance. 

Although councilors could have questioned the City Attorney to speak to the issue at a future time, none didat the close of the meeting.