HomeMy WebLinkAbout10/16/2018 Item 20, Keith
Christian, Kevin
From:Tony Keith <tony@assocdevsvscorp.com>
Sent:Tuesday,
To:E-mail Council Website
Subject:Commercial Cannabis Business Operator Permit Evaluation Criteria - Comments
Honorable Mayor and City Council Members: As a consultant serving the legal cannabis industry and as a resident of San
Luis Obispo County, I am submitting the following comments for your consideration as you debate the merit-based
criteria to evaluate future cannabis operators in the City of San Luis Obispo.
General Merit Criteria
1. Community Benefit
1.1 Consider lowering the hiring percentages. Finding the best “talent” requires employers to choose the very
best, these individuals may reside outside our community.
1.2 Consider adding consultants to this list as there are many local consultants that can assist potential
applicants. Remove equipment from this criteria as much of the equipment used by cannabis business is
very specialized and is not produced locally.
2. Record of Compliant Operations – Good, keep this as is.
3. Local Experience – Good, keep this as is.
4. Equity Labor Criteria – Consider removing this criteria. I do not believe other businesses in San Luis Obispo are
subject to such an onerous requirement. Treat this business like any other and you will see it rise to be revered
as one of the best employers within the city.
5. Responsible Use Messaging – Good, keep as is.
6. Medical Retail Component – Good keep as is.
7. Control of Business Location – Consider removing this criteria. If you leave it in you risk price gouging for land,
rents, leases. Additionally, you add considerable carrying cost to an already costly process.
8. Sustainable/Environmental – Good, keep as is.
9. Beneficial Uses – Consider removing this. Cannabis in all forms has beneficial uses. Nobody has the authority to
say which form is beneficial and which is not.
10. Land Development – Consider removing this. Why would you encourage “greenfield” development over in-fill
development. How does this align with other city initiatives? I think not!
Tony Keith, Landscape Architect #3673
788 Arlington Street
Cambria, CA 93428
805-423-8479
1