At the recent Winslow City Council meeting the council held an annual review of the ordinance related to recreational marijuana. City Attorney Trish Stuhan provided background on the ordinance, which was initially adopted in 2020 following the legalization of recreational marijuana in Arizona. The current ordinance requires marijuana establishments to be dual licensees, operating both medical and recreational dispensaries in a single location. Stuhan noted that Winslow does not currently have a dispensary, and that the dual-license requirement may be a barrier to attracting such businesses.
Jack Fitchett, the city’s economic developer, highlighted the sizable market in the area, mentioning that over 150,000 people might be potential customers for a local dispensary. He pointed out that residents currently travel to Flagstaff for marijuana purchases, suggesting an opportunity for local economic growth.
Council members discussed the potential benefits of revising the ordinance to allow standalone recreational marijuana establishments. Mayor Birdie Cano expressed interest in attracting a dispensary to meet community needs and boost economic development.
Councilmember Jim MacLean voiced opposition to changing the ordinance but acknowledged the council’s role in making collective decisions.
Stuhan mentioned recent changes in state regulations regarding marijuana, including delivery services, which need to be reviewed. The council discussed potential limits on the number of establishments and appropriate zoning districts for their operation. Ultimately, the council directed staff to revisit the ordinance, consider lightening restrictions to allow standalone recreational dispensaries, and bring back proposed amendments for future consideration.
The council also discussed the municipal code regarding special events and noise restrictions. Earlier amendments had imposed a 200-foot noise restriction on special events, affecting venues like the Bashas’ and Safeway parking lots. This restriction was implemented in response to noise complaints from residents but has since hindered the hosting of community events such as carnivals and festivals. Mayor Cano suggested revisiting the noise restriction to facilitate community events that benefit local organizations through fundraising and scholarships. She says they distributed letters to residents in the affected areas to seek their input on potentially amending the ordinance.
Council members considered the potential impact on future development in the affected areas, noting that properties for sale or under development might change the suitability of those locations for events. The possibility of alternative venues, such as the rodeo grounds or municipal field, was discussed. The council unanimously agreed to table the discussion to allow time for citizen feedback and to revisit the matter with more information at the next meeting. To comment on this matter, please contact a member of the council or attend a council meeting.
In addition, the council also talked about recreational vehicle code changes related to parking and storage of travel trailers, motorhomes, watercraft, and other trailers. City Attorney Stuhan presented the proposed changes, which aimed to address gaps in the existing code. Key provisions included restrictions on parking on public streets, requirements for parking on improved surfaces, limitations on the number of such vehicles per property, and guidelines for parking locations.
Council members raised concerns about the definition of “improved surface” which would be required to store vehicles on and the potential cost burden on residents to create such surfaces like concrete or gravel. Questions were posed about whether parking on grass or existing dirt areas would be permissible. City Manager David Coolidge and City Attorney Stuhan noted potential ambiguities in the ordinance that could make enforcement difficult. Suggestions were made to add clarity by explicitly stating that parking on unimproved dirt or grass areas is prohibited.
The council discussed rephrasing sections of the ordinance to clearly delineate where vehicles can be parked and under what conditions. They considered the need to balance community aesthetics with residents’ practical needs. The decision was made to rework the ordinance language for better clarity and enforceability. Staff was directed to revise the ordinance and bring it back for approval at a future meeting.
In other business, the council:
* Approved past meeting minutes and the check register.
* Approved Business Retention and Expansion Incentive Program, to provide $30,000 total for local business grants.
* Approved a split in a parcel lot located on the 1600 block of North Park Drive.
* Approved adoption of international building codes and uniform fire codes.
The next meeting of the Winslow City Council will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 10, in the meeting room located at 523 West Second St.
