A proposal to put a medical marijuana dispensary just outside Sebastopol's southern edge will be discussed Tuesday night by the City Council, which just six months ago adopted a pot ordinance that is among the most liberal in Sonoma County.
The dispensary, to be called Suite 215, is being proposed by Victoria Stokes of Sebastopol for a former floor-covering store at 1225 Gravenstein Highway just outside Sebastopol's city limits.
The site is within the city's urban growth boundary, but because it is outside city limits the council has only an advisory role.
Sonoma County planner Karin Theriault said the zoning needs to be changed and a use permit granted before a dispensary could go in.
Concerns about potential crime and the impact on neighbors, which include a real estate office, fence company and Buddhist Temple, are being raised, Theriault said.
Sebastopol's ordinance regulating medical marijuana allows fortwo dispensaries within the city limits and for home and collective gardens.
There is one dispensary within the city, Peace in Medicine Healing Center, which at one time had proposed opening a second site. Police Chief Jeffrey Weaver said there have not been problems associated with the dispensary.
At the request of Councilwoman Kathleen Shaffer, the council also will discuss whether to amend its newly-adopted ordinance to allow just one dispensary within the city.
Shaffer said her request was not prompted by the new proposal, but rather whether two dispensaries are necessary in a city with 7,300 residents.
The meeting is at 6 p.m. at the city Youth Annex.
The applicant has been asked to provide additional information on such issues as septic systems before a public hearing is scheduled.
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