Chillicothe — Council chose to not read the proposed ordinance placing a moratorium on new cannnabis dispensaries Monday evening, after opposition and calls to clarify its intent.
Mayor Luke Feeney also urged a pubic showing at the old Armory in Yoctangee Park after next week’s special council session, to get an overview of the grant-funded proposed plans for the park’s renovation.
About 40 members of the public showed up in the gallery, most of them apparently in opposition to the cannabis ordinance – in contrast to more than 100 in the previous session. They left after council voted to not read the legislative item.
Three speakers addressed the issue, including Pete “Liam” Stokien, who was the first speaker last time. He said we all must live together and communicate, but there is confusion on the cannabis issue, so those concerned about it must get engaged.
Stokien said the moratorium will not stop people from buying cannabis, but instead send them to illegitimate sources. He pointed out that the issue has been decided, statewide, already.
Both Mayor Luke Feeney and council president Kevin Shoemaker said there is confusion surrounding council’s proposed legislation and it needs to be cleared up.
Shoemaker said the intent was to put a pause on new dispensaries for a set amount of time so the city could set zoning controls…not outlaw existing ones.
Before the legislation was read, Councilman Dustin Proehl moved to not read the item, and council unanimously agreed. That means the item remains at its first of three readings, and has been delayed in its progress to being passed.
Previous story: Large Turnout Opposing Cannabis Legislation in Chillicothe Council (11/29/2024)
Council has announced they are holding a special session next Monday, but at 5:30pm and for only one task: a second review of the 2025 annual budget. Council president Kevin Shoemaker anticipated it will be short and uneventful.
Mayor Luke Feeney said that afterward, at 6pm on December 16th, the company that is designing grant-funded improvements to Yoctangee Park will hold an open house in Memorial Armory there.
He said American Structurepoint should have displays and explain their plans there. Feeney said the city had gotten additional answers on the project from the state, which is the conduit for the federal funds.
Previous stories:
- Yoctangee Park Planned Improvements Reach Next Stage (11/27/2024)
- Opposition to Plans to Transform Chillicothe’s Yoctangee Park (11/27/2024)
