City council prohibits marijuana businesses from opening in Snoqualmie

Published 5:30 pm Sunday, March 27, 2016

No marijuana-related businesses can set up shop in the city of Snoqualmie. At the March 14 council meeting, the Snoqualmie City Council approved an ordinance to prohibit the production, processing and retail sales of marijuana and marijuana-infused products.

The ordinance covers both medical and recreational use and bans these types of businesses in every zoning area in the city. The ordinance states that the prohibition of marijuana production and retail will “protect public safety, morals, health, and welfare of the city of Snoqualmie and its residents and businesses.”

The decision to prohibit any land use involving marijuana production or sales was a result of public feedback from many citizens stating they did not want a marijuana business in Snoqualmie. The Snoqualmie Planning Commission held a workshop Nov. 16, and a public hearing on Dec. 7, to gather feedback on this issue. According to Economic Development Director Mark Hofman, the people who spoke at the public hearing in December supported the ordinance.

Other Valley cities, like North Bend and Carnation, have taken a different approach. North Bend allows both grow operations and retail stores, but only in certain areas that have been zoned for use such as near the outlet mall on Bendigo Boulevard by Exit 31 to I-90.

Any marijuana business in North Bend is required to be at least 1,000 feet away from any school, recreation center, child center, public park, or library. Londi Lindell, city administrator of North Bend, said that they have seen some interest from marijuana businesses, but none have found a location to open. Lindell said some of the inquiries were rejected because they were too close to a Montessori school.

“We’ve had a bunch of people come in,” she said, but “Nobody has come in and found a location where they can open. There are empty store fronts… up by the outlet mall. We allow both grow operations and retail stores.”

Carnation also allows marijuana businesses in certain areas, but has not received any inquires from businesses. City Manager Phil Messina said the city’s zoning follows state regulations and while marijuana businesses have not been banned, the 1,000-foot buffer required between such a business and schools and public parks has limited the possibility of a marijuana business opening in downtown Carnation.