The Del Norte County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday will discuss retail cannabis zoning.

This request from District 3 Supervisor Chris Howard comes after one resident voiced concerns in July about Wonder Stump, a retail cannabis dispensary, being across the street from Del Norte County’s juvenile hall.

At the July 23 Board of Supervisors meeting, resident Eric Neff told supervisors he was also concerned that the business was within 1,000 feet of Cornerstone Church.

“I believe that might have been overlooked by the Planning Commission,” Neff said in July. “I’ve filed a formal complaint. The language of the ordinance is the guiding legal authority and juvenile hall operates a school. I don’t believe the business received a variance.”

On July 23, Robert Derego, who operates the Wonder Stump dispensary, told county supervisors that churches and everyone within 1,000 feet of his business was notified.

“The juvenile detention center is a detention center,” he said. “People don’t commonly leave it to walk down the street to get a soda. In any case, within a few blocks are several places that serve alcohol for onsite consumption or to take home and drink.”

Derego said he would like to see the county loosen restrictions on where cannabis-related manufacturing is allowed to operate. He noted that it’s common for retailers to not realize a profit after paying federal taxes.

On Tuesday, the Board of Supervisors will also hold a public hearing to consider its 2019-2020 budget as well as budgets for special districts. A proposed allocation from the Stimson Fund for the leasing of a vehicle for the Del Norte County District Attorney is also on the agenda for discussion.

The Board of Supervisors will also consider repealing a 1973 ordinance that requires an ambulance operator to get a permit to provide services in the unincorporated area of the county. Repealing the ordinance will bring the county code in line with the Emergency Medical Services System and the Pre-hospital Emergency Medical Care Personnel Act of 1980, which created the North Coast Emergency Medical Services System.

According to the county’s staff report, Cal-Ore Life Flight has applied for a permit to provide services in unincorporated Del Norte County. However, staff recommends county supervisors repeal Del Norte’s 1973 ordinance. Cal-Ore Life Flight could then seek permission to operate in Del Norte County from the North Coast EMS system, according to the report.

The Del Norte County Board of Supervisors meets at 10 a.m. Tuesday in the Flynn Center, 981 H Street in Crescent City. For agendas and staff reports, click here.

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