Speaker 0: Thank you. Next up is the hearing on cannabis police.
Speaker 1: Report from Development Services recommendation or receive supporting documentation into the record, concluded the public hearing review and determined that the proposed Long Beach Municipal Code amendments are exempt from secure and declared ordinance amending Title five to allow the operation of adult use cannabis dispensaries within mixed use buildings in the downtown area by way of conditional use permit approval. Read the first time in a letter to the next regular meeting of City Council for Final Reading Districts one and two.
Speaker 0: Mr.. Is a report on yes or no?
Speaker 3: Yes, we do have a staff report from Christopher Coons, our deputy director, and Patricia Devendorf for cleaning.
Speaker 0: And Patricia has this evening's report.
Speaker 1: With you being mayor, vice mayor, council members. Patricia Devendorf, our planning bureau manager. This item before council this evening involves municipal code amendments to amend Title five and the Downtown Plan Development District PD 30 to allow the operation of adult use cannabis dispensaries within mixed use buildings in downtown by way of a conditional use permit. Beginning in January 2016, a number of state and local laws were adopted that established a regulatory framework for allowing the operation of both medical and adult use cannabis businesses. Major regulatory milestones are shown on this slide. The city's regulatory system established a cap of 32 medical cannabis dispensaries citywide and in 2018, code amendments related to adult use . Cannabis businesses also required the co-location of adult use cannabis businesses with medical cannabis dispensaries therefore creating limiting the or applying the 32 dispensary cap to adult use cannabis businesses as well. In 2018, the city adopted the zoning code and updated the zoning code to allow adult use cannabis dispensaries in commercial zoning districts by right. But no changes were made at that time to any of the planned development districts. Also, at that time, the code was amended to introduce Chapter 5.92 of the Municipal Code to establish Long Beach's local regulations for adult use cannabis businesses. The proposed ordinance would amend the PD 30 Plan Development District for downtown to add adult use cannabis dispensaries as a permitted use under retail sales, which will explicitly allow adult use cannabis dispensaries in the downtown valley by way of a conditional use process. The use would not be allowed in the downtown neighborhood overlay district. This change is comparable and consistent with the 2018 Code amendments that allowed adult use cannabis dispensaries in commercial zoning districts citywide. As a counterpart to this action. Title five amendments are needed to allow adult use cannabis dispensaries in the downtown area to be permitted within mixed use buildings. Buildings that have residential units and to adhere to the PD 30 ground floor window transparency requirements to continue to ensure a vibrant, active and walkable environment in the downtown. For different sections listed on this slide, within chapter 5.92 are proposed to be amended to ensure that this use will be allowed in mixed use buildings and that the more stringent downtown window transparency requirements will apply to such businesses, superseding the regulations otherwise applicable in Chapter 5.9 to. In order to approve municipal and zoning code amendments. One of the findings that needs to be made is consistency with the general plan. On April 15, 2021, the Planning Commission found that the proposed amendments are consistent with the downtown place type of the general plan in particular goals to encourage a mix of land uses with a focus on providing active ground for shops and restaurants, and the goal to promote a highly urbanized core featuring compact development composed of a mix of compatible uses. The Planning Commission found that the proposed amendments do support the downtown place type by formally introducing adult use cannabis dispensaries as a recognized use category under the retail uses and ensuring that these establishes these establishments continue to be designed in a way that promotes walkable environment and fosters active, active streets. In its Action Planning Commission recommended the City Council determined that the proposed amendments are exempt from secure and that City Council adopt the proposed ordinance too. That allowed the operation of adult use cannabis dispensaries within mixed use buildings in the downtown area by way of a conditional use permit. That concludes staff's recommendation and staff is available to answer any questions you might have.
Speaker 0: Thank you. Want to be go ahead. Go to public comment, please.
Speaker 3: Our first speaker is Amber Tovar. Amber Tovar.
Speaker 4: Good evening and thank you for having me. My name is Amber Tobar, and tonight I speak as a Catalyst employee and a 20 year Long Beach resident. Catalyst Time will be the anchor to drive additional traffic to Pine Avenue. It'll bring 20 to 30 full time jobs, additional tax revenue for the city, local accessibility to cannabis products and patients and residents. And it's supported by the neighborhood and local business owners. I came the catalyst from the hospitality sales industry focused on farmworkers. COVID hit the hospitality industry and we went down hard and fast. I took it as an opportunity to refocus my professional recovery. I wanted to find an industry and a company with social responsibility. I was recently awarded a certificate from Long Beach City College for completing the inaugural Intro to Cannabis Industry Certificate Program. During the shutdown, I saw a couple of Lewis Instagram posts talking about the safety of the employees and patients, as well as ensuring employees are essential. This is the first CEO I heard speaking about people situation versus stop the bleeding of the lost profits. Elliott's voice was refreshing. In my eight months with Catalyst, I've had the opportunity to meet Elliott as well as most of the management team. I can tell you that the voice is backed by a deeply passionate team and catalyst. And while the cannabis industry is their focus, the city of Long Beach always remains top of mind. Volunteering with Catalyst Tourism UFW. I've helped local politicians, worked on expungement.
Speaker 3: Thank you.
Speaker 7: Our next speaker is Anna Lewis.
Speaker 4: Hello. Yes, please. Hello. Okay. Thank you. City Council members and Honorable Mayor Garcia. My name is Anna Lewis. I am a co-founder of Cavaliers. My best friend, along with my children, planted the plant on Pine Avenue to beautify and uplift the community. It truly is a labor of love and a family affair. It has been a joy meeting members of the community and to feel the excitement and the hopefulness we share for the future of language. I believe catalysts will drive foot traffic to the surrounding businesses such as Romeo's. I would hate to see another business closed down like Crest Market. Catalyst will bring union jobs and much needed life to Pine Avenue. Also, when my husband, Elliott Lewis, says he is going to do something, you better believe he will. Thank you for your consideration. Life.
Speaker 3: Thank you. Our next speaker is Blake Hogan.
Speaker 4: Hello? Can you hear me?
Speaker 3: Yes. Please begin.
Speaker 4: I made Lake Hogan and I'm one of the employees at Catalyst Cannabis. So I really wanted to speak to the fact that Catalyst will really uplift the community in ways that I don't think people even realize. When we did the third on chain event, which is only started the second annual, it started off as something that was very small and very genuine and Elliot Lewis, along with the Catalyst team, helped lift it up and I think would make that a place to be for years to come, as well as Romeo's topics, as already mentioned, also the high bar and all all these local communities, I've seen firsthand how excited they are, the opportunity for Catalyst to be there, to see the change that it will help. I've also seen residents in the community excited to be a part of Catalyst and how they are in the community to also have a place where they can get safe and reliable cannabis to help ailments as well as to help uplift that lot. That, unfortunately, due to the pandemic and other unforeseen circumstances, will help uplift the community beyond recognition as well as to reality. Elliot Lewis Being a local resident, I have never seen a man so impassioned to help the city of Long Beach and help empower the community around it, not only for the block but the entire city. I believe that this opportunity to help catalyst cannabis go and to uplift the community will only be something a shining beacon for years to come will be talked about. Thank you for your time and for your consideration.
Speaker 3: Thank you. Our next speaker is. Elliott Lewis.
Speaker 4: Yeah. Hi, this is Elliot Lewis with Catalyst Cannabis CO. I just really appreciative of what everybody said before me and the council having this item in front of me.
Speaker 0: In front of them, you know.
Speaker 4: We're going to bring union jobs.
Speaker 0: We're going to bring revenue to the city. But the thing that I really want to focus on is the love and.
Speaker 4: The energy that we've created on that block there down there right now. This is our normal meeting that we have every week we've been there. It's grown from three or four people to 22.
Speaker 0: To 25 people.
Speaker 4: You know, it's not something that's going to happen overnight. It's not something that's going to be easy to do. But if I put my.
Speaker 0: Name on it, hell or high water, we're going to uplift that entire.
Speaker 4: Block. And I've just been so appreciative of all the people that I've met down on the 400 block. We built real relationships. We have a real.
Speaker 0: Vision for the block.
Speaker 4: And beyond that.
Speaker 0: You know.
Speaker 4: When history, right? What happened down there on.
Speaker 0: The 400.
Speaker 4: Block of pine, I wanted to this project to be something that's been.
Speaker 0: Super positive, super energetic.
Speaker 4: I just see people down there that are passionate, that need a little wind at their back. And I give you my word to council. And everybody who knows me, our council knows that if I say something, I'm coming to back it up. So I'm very appreciative of the consideration of this item and all the kind words before. And thanks for letting me speak.
Speaker 3: Thank you. Our next speaker is Greg Nahshon.
Speaker 4: Good evening. Thank you, Mr. Mayor, and council members. I respectfully urge the City Council to oppose agenda item number 19. The city currently already has over 30 dispensaries. It's an extremely difficult regulatory environment for licensed cannabis dispensaries. In addition, licensed dispensaries are competing against unlicensed and unregulated cannabis shops. The existing dispensaries spent years going through the licensing, building and planning processes. Adding additional dispensaries in the.
Speaker 7: Downtown area will lead.
Speaker 4: To more oversaturation of an already oversaturated market. It's also setting up both current dispensaries, dispensaries and future dispensaries for difficult times and potential failure. Most of the existing dispensaries in Long Beach have been open for a very short period of time. I believe it would be in the best interest of the city and its businesses to allow for some additional time before making a determination about adding additional dispensaries. I urge the council members to vote against this item. Thank you.
Speaker 3: Thank you. Our next speaker is Lupe Trejo.
Speaker 4: Good afternoon, council members and Honorable Mayor Garcia. My name is Lupita Trejo and my husband and I both work for the Port of L.A. and Long Beach. We are in support of Catalyst coming to downtown Long Beach for various reasons, one of them being near and dear to our hearts, our union jobs with medical benefits, with getting over the pandemic. You all know it's extremely important. I, together with co-founder Anna Lewis, crowded all the beautiful films you see on the 400 block of pine. While planting on pine, Anna and I met tons of neighbors who greeted us with joy and excitement as we shared our hopes of bringing catalyst to Pine Avenue. Catalyst brings revenue to Long Beach as well as badly needed foot traffic to the struggling neighboring establishments. Catalyst brings a sense of community to all its neighbors. You can take a look at the other dispensaries in Bellflower on Cherry that are amazingly beautiful, as along with state alumni who spent a lot of time partying downtown. I'd love to see that area thrive again. There is no better leader than by call him El Magnifico, also known as Elliot Lewis to make it happen. We for the people.
Speaker 3: Thank you. Your next speaker is Natasha. Wyn.
Speaker 4: Hi. My name is how I. Thank you. Hello. Hi. Councilmember is an honorable Mayor Garcia. Uh, I'm just.
Speaker 1: Speaking today in support of item 19.
Speaker 4: I personally attended the North Plain Neighborhood Association meetings in the past with Elliot Lewis, and the overwhelming consensus among that neighborhood association is that they're excited to see us come in and help revitalize the area beyond just the normal business and our normal operations. Our company has tried, has participated in between out.
Speaker 1: Beautification projects, worked in.
Speaker 4: Record expungement clinics. So we're more than just a catalyst company. We're here to help bring positive change to the city of Long Beach, city of Long Beach and beyond. So I urge you all to please vote in favor for this project. Thank you so much for your time and for your consideration.
Speaker 3: Thank you. Our next speaker is Ronnie de Leon. Ronnie de Leon. Ronnie de Leon please hit star six time you. Our next speaker is Sam Bird.
Speaker 4: Yes. Hello, this is Sam Barron. Thank you, council members. And thank you, Mayor Garcia. I wanted to speak as a Catalyst employee, but also as a Long Beach resident. I was born here. I've lived here for over 36 years now. And at a time when we are going through a revitalization and right after COVID and the loss of employment by so many people, I strongly urge you to support Gender 19. There are so many people in need of work right now, and this would create extra union jobs that would give them benefits and help them and their families to get back from a struggling time. I would like to also.
Speaker 7: Talk about how.
Speaker 4: You know, how much this industry has changed since 2016 to now and how we've proven that cannabis in legal and safe environments actually.
Speaker 7: Lowers crime rates.
Speaker 4: And increases foot traffic and prosperity to the community. So I would strongly urge you to consider Gender 19.
Speaker 0: And approval, and I.
Speaker 4: Thank you for your time.
Speaker 3: Thank you. Our next speaker is Todd Nichols. Todd Nichols.
Speaker 0: All right. Thank you.
Speaker 4: Mayor and city council members.
Speaker 7: Um, I don't really understand what's going on here. I mean, didn't we already.
Speaker 0: Authorized a certain.
Speaker 4: Number of licenses? Why is this? One entity allowed to just drop in wherever they want. Shouldn't we do, like, a rigorous study before allowing this art, before expanding the program even more? These licenses have barely got time to operate at this point.
Speaker 7: I see him still coming up after years.
Speaker 4: How does this even make sense? I mean, are we just going to start allowing these to pop up everywhere now? Is there no cap on on what we're going to allow in terms of cannabis businesses in our city? I didn't sign up for that. I didn't vote for that.
Speaker 0: Thank you.
Speaker 3: Thank you. Our next speaker is Robert de Leon.
Speaker 4: Hello, folks. Please begin. Yes. Hello, folks. Can you hear me okay?
Speaker 3: Yes, please begin.
Speaker 4: All right. Hello, everyone. My name is Romeo Garcia. Hello, Mayor Garcia and council members. I'm here with Ronnie DeLeon, along with 20 other North Pine resident and small business owners here. We call in to express our support of Catlett's Agenda 19 item. Catlett's will continue to be an anchor to drive additional foot traffic to Historic Point Avenue, a corridor that needs continued activation and support for local small businesses. We've seen this in Elliot actions and in his leadership, and we have seen an activation for third parties, including my full attention to safety and security here at our North Side block. Now, let's will also bring in 20 to 30 full time union jobs for our local Long Beach workforce, including their leadership in organizing a very well attended job fair for our local residents. Now, this will also generate additional tax revenue for the city. Lastly, Catalyst will provide local accessibility the cannabis products for patients and residents. Among the 20 plus residents, neighborhood organizations and local small business owners here today at Northside, we encourage the city and the city council, the mayor, to support, catalyst to open and operate on historic Point Avenue. Thank you for your consideration and support.
Speaker 3: Thank you. Our next speaker is Violet. Violet Aguilar.
Speaker 7: Works.
Speaker 4: Hi, Henry.
Speaker 3: Yes, please begin.
Speaker 4: Hi. My name is Sheila Aguilar, director of Equity and External Affairs Officer for Catalyst. And also I am in charge of our Catalyst initiative. I don't care. Mission is to bring are we for the people philosophy beyond our stores and surrounding communities, which is exactly what we have been doing and plan to continue to do in North Avenue. Our core values are labor, communities, social equity, social justice and best practice. And this really is what's what drives. And we'll continue to drive our direction to bring equity and accessibility to the cannabis industry, specifically to our communities that have been more impacted by the war on drugs. We're looking forward to continue to work with the neighbors, with the business owners, with council, and with some out in the community to uplift our community, to bring civilian jobs, to provide that much needed tax revenue and that much needed additional tax for traffic.
Speaker 1: In the North Pine Avenue.
Speaker 4: That's why I urge and we urge city council and mayor to approve our project. Thank you so much.
Speaker 3: Thank you. And that concludes public comment for this item.
Speaker 0: Thank you. Conservative sort of councilman's and day house. Who has the motion?
Speaker 1: Thank you, Mayor.
Speaker 5: Thank you. To city staff who have continuously worked hard on this item. Thank you very much to the planning commission for for their work on this item as well. For passing this item and approving it during this pandemic, it breaks my heart to say that we have had to face three major, significant losses of three major businesses in our downtown area in exactly the 400 block of pine. This is why I am for any opportunity that can support our local businesses. And I think that this item offers a very specific change that will allow for a particular business, a particular business to thrive thanks to the CFP process. I have already received overwhelming support from residents as well as business owners for this particular item before us. I hope that my colleagues are able to support this item and these efforts to uplift our North Pine area. And in this historic, historic, historic little block that we have and I've already seen such magnificent changes as it is . So I hope that I can get the support from our my colleagues here today.
Speaker 0: Thank you. And have a second by Councilman Allen.
Speaker 1: As a thank you, mayor, I believe that this amendment will benefit any cannabis business that applies to operate and downtown through the SIU process. Staff found that the proposed changes are consistent with inland land use elements. Goals for downtown Long Beach. I'm also happy that this amendment expands areas in which the cannabis businesses can operate, and these cannabis businesses bring great, good paying union jobs. So I'll be supporting this item. Thank you.
Speaker 0: Thank you, Councilwoman Price.
Speaker 1: Hi, everyone. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I wanted to just chime in, and of.
Speaker 4: Course, I support.
Speaker 1: The council members from Council.
Speaker 4: District one two and.
Speaker 1: Supporting this item. It is going to be impacting their districts primarily, and.
Speaker 4: I'm sure that they've done their due diligence, so I'm happy to support them on this item. I will say.
Speaker 1: That Catalist has a shop.
Speaker 4: In the third district in Belmont.
Speaker 1: Shore, and I know we've heard a lot about Eliot Lewis tonight. And so at the risk.
Speaker 4: Of inflating his.
Speaker 1: Ego, let.
Speaker 4: Me just say that he is a.
Speaker 1: Tremendous partner to me and my staff and our council office. There's never been a single resident issue or.
Speaker 4: Complaint that I've brought to his attention that hasn't been immediately dealt with, sometimes at extensive cost to himself.
Speaker 1: And sometimes when absolutely.
Speaker 4: Unnecessary, but done out of a purpose.
Speaker 1: Of courtesy that he shares.
Speaker 4: Towards the community. So he's just been an excellent operator.
Speaker 1: He's also.
Speaker 4: Assisted with.
Speaker 1: Education.
Speaker 4: On areas involving cannabis use and some of the best practices there that have really helped me in many ways, not just in my council role but in other roles as well. And I think he's just really a fantastic partner. For me personally, my experience has been very positive and I do believe that if he says he's going to do something and work hard to mitigate any concerns or impacts, that he will make sure that he does that. That's been my experience. And so thank you very much.
Speaker 0: Councilwoman Vice Mayor Richardson.
Speaker 7: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Just want to take a moment and congratulate our first District Councilwoman, Sun Sun House on what appears to be a very thoughtful engagement process to arrive at a decision that ensures progress on an important corridor, the Pine Avenue corridor. So I know that, you know, it's great to hear, you know, so much input from residents and from businesses along the corridor. And I'm excited to see our summer quarters could certainly use a boost right now. So I'm sorry. I'm certainly excited to see you focused and being diligent on making sure you're making the right choices that are appropriate for your community. Thank you so much.
Speaker 0: Thank you, Councilman Austin.
Speaker 2: Thank you. Also, I'd like to lend.
Speaker 7: My support to other council members and De Haas and Allen for our agendas in this, for bringing this forward and their support for this. Again, I know that they've done their their homework. They've dealt with the stakeholders and they're reaching a good conclusion here. But I want to just just remark that I think this is a this is a bold move. That is an important move for for the city to take. And this council and I just want to hats off to Catullus and Elliott Lewis. I think they are pioneers in the cannabis industry today, not just in retail, but also in their approach toward cannabis equity, social equity as well. And I look forward to continuing to work with them on making sure that the future we have more cannabis equity in our city and more opportunities for individuals to participate in this very lucrative industry. So I will be supporting tonight and look forward to seeing a new presence on Pine Avenue.
Speaker 0: Thank you. There's a motion in a second. Please cast your votes. I'm sorry. A roll call vote.
Speaker 1: District one I. District two I. District three I. District four. All right. District five. Yes, six. I.
Speaker 3: I.
Speaker 1: District eight. District nine. I reckon Kerry's.
Speaker 0: Thank you. That concludes the three hearings. Now we will move on to general public comment. I'm quick.
Recommendation to declare ordinance amending the Long Beach Municipal Code by amending Section 5.92.420, Section 5.92.760, Section 5.92.765, and Section 5.92.955; and by amending and restating the Downtown Planned Development District (PD-30), to allow the operation of adult-use cannabis dispensaries within mixed-use buildings in Downtown by way of Conditional Use Permit approval, read and adopt as read.  (Districts 1,2)