Planning Commission to discuss pet resort, marijuana

At tonight’s meeting, the Sarasota County Planning Commission will consider a proposal for a special exception to allow a pet resort a U.S. 41 and Blackburn Point Road.

The 3.8-acre property used to be a mobile home park before the park was demolished. Of the total acreage, 1.6 is zoned CG (commericial general) and the rest is zoned RSF-2 (residential, single family). The request is a special exception because the CG zoning permits animal boarding at veterinary clinics and hospitals, but not pet resorts with boarding.

If approved, the resort would consist of a 14,750 square-foot building with outdoor space for exercise. It would employ 15 people, and would board cats and dogs.

The commission will also discuss the proposed zoning amendment in regards to the use of marijuana.

This November’s general election has a referendum that would allow medical marijuana in Florida. Amendment 2 on the ballot, the Florida Right to Medical Marijuana Initiative, would allow medical marijuana to be used without requiring a prescription from a physician. The county expects a number of retailers would want to sell products, according to the staff memo.

If the amendment passes, however, land use regulations will stay in the hands of local governments to decide. The county is considering an ordinance that would require a special exception for processing, cultivation and distributing medical marijuana.

The commission will discuss the amendment and the proposed ordinance and send on their recommendations to the County Commission. A public hearing for the County Commission has been already been scheduled for Oct. 8 and Nov. 4.

IF YOU GO

What: Sarasota County Planning Commission meeting
When: 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 2.
Where: County Commission Chambers, Administration Building, 1660 Ringling Blvd., Sarasota.