By Glenn Rolfe

SEAFORD — City Council has set June 25 for a public hearing on a potential zoning change that would permit up to two recreational marijuana stores in highway commercial districts, pending the federal government’s redesignation of cannabis as a Schedule III substance from Schedule I.

Council approved the date 5-0 at its meeting May 28.

Under the proposal, adult-use retail marijuana stores would be allowed in C-2, or highway commercial, zoning, with a series of local regulations and restrictions.

“If this code were adopted, it would not permit the sale of recreational marijuana in C-1 zoning districts,” city manager Charles Anderson added.

The regulations would include:

• Stores must be 2,000 feet from schools, libraries, public parks, child care centers, playgrounds and existing dispensaries.
• Hours would be from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. weekdays and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays, with no operations Sundays.
• Graffiti must be removed from the premises by the owner/operator within 24 hours.
• Lighting and building exteriors must meet city specifications.
• No more than two state-licensed adult-use cannabis stores can operate within city limits in the designated zoning district.
• On-site consumption is prohibited.
• Retail facilities must be licensed to operate by the city annually.
• Operators must provide a security plan for storage, surveillance and guards.

Because this is a change to the zoning ordinance, the city will need to have a public hearing, Mr. Anderson explained.

After the June 25 hearing, council can hold a second reading for adoption or delay action based on public comment.