Would you live next to a pot garden?

A zoning ordinance that allows growing commercial marijuana in low-density neighborhoods is heading back to the Juneau Assembly for public testimony.

It allows marijuana cultivation in D-1 residential areas, zoned for one house per acre.

Rural reserve areas would be zoned for pot cultivation, manufacturing and retail. That’s basically everything off of the road system, plus parts of North Douglas and out the road.

On Monday, a couple of members from the public weighed in at a worksession meeting. James Barrett, who’s interested in marijuana business, said the more the market is restricted, the less opportunity there is for economic growth.

“So  I feel like maybe there’s some things we can do. Maybe we can take some risks. Maybe we say, ‘Hey, let’s give it a try,’” he said. “Let’s let the cannabis people, the responsible ones, give them a shot. Maybe they can do a little part for our economy.”

Barrett said it was also a way the city could attract young entrepreneurs.

But for Marjorie Menzi the issue hit close to home. Menzi lives on Thane Road in a D1 area. She said she was concerned about the pungent smell and glare from greenhouse grow lights.

“We should not be discriminated against because we have lower density or we’re outside the urban service area. We have people with children living in our areas,” Menzi said.

The state is proposing a 500-foot buffer around schools, day cares and childcare facilities.

Assemblymember Karen Crane agreed with Menzi’s points. She said the idea that the assembly treats neighborhoods differently is accurate, and the problem wasn’t going to go away.

“As we have more and more development outside the urban service area, we are going to come up against this area more and more and I think it’s one we need to take a look at,” Crane said.

Crane attempted to get the ordinance sent back to city planners, but the motion failed. The city is trying to figure out zoning before a moratorium expires at the end of the year. After that, pot entrepreneurs will be able to apply for conditional use permits.

The public will get another to chance testify at the next assembly meeting Nov. 9.

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