Planning Commission asks staff to draw up resolution expressing disagreement with mayor’s recent Facebook statements
The Airway Heights Planning Commission followed suit with many residents and staff regarding Mayor Patrick Rushing and his ability to lead the city.
At its July 22 meeting, the commission asked staff to draft a document stating they do not agree with Rushing statements and asks him to resign from his position as mayor. Airway Heights has been the subject of controversy since Rushing posted comments on his personal Facebook account that compare President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama to “monkeys.” City Council, staff and residents have asked Rushing to resign, which he has refused to do.
“As a city body, we have an obligation to make a statement for ourselves and for the residents of Airway Heights,” Commission Chair Larry Bowman said of the group’s decision to take a stance on the matter.
The commission was concerned about the negative perception Airway Heights is receiving from Rushing’s actions and is unsure the city can accomplish its goals, particularly in economic development and overall growth with him as mayor.
“It’s not a question of guilt or innocence,” Bowman said. “It’s a perception of how all of this negatively impacts the city.”
Development Services Director Derrick Braaten said staff is disappointed with Rushing’s comments, however they will continue to work just as hard as they have in the past.
“We’re not going to let this get us down,” Braaten said. “We’re doubling down on our efforts and devotion to this community.”
The commission also held a workshop on an ordinance that includes amendments to the city’s current medical cannabis standards. The ordinance is a result of the emergency moratorium on medical marijuana City Council passed in May. The moratorium was in response to Gov. Jay Inslee signing the “The Cannabis Patient Protection Act,” a senate bill that creates regulation for medical cannabis in Washington state.
Under the proposed ordinance, growers may not operate a cooperative garden without first obtaining a medical cannabis collective garden regulatory license from the city. To apply for a license, growers must be qualified patients or designated providers, must submit valid documentation, be at least 18 years old and have no felony convictions in the last 10 years. A license costs $250 plus a $25 fee for a background check.
The ordinance also states that no more than 10 qualifying patients may participate in a single collective garden at any time. Areas where cannabis is grown, stored or dispensed must have ventilation/air filtration systems. A location for a collective garden will be classified as an agricultural processing plant and is limited to light industrial and heavy industrial zoned properties. No cannabis from the collective garden may be delivered to anyone other than qualifying patient participated in the collective garden or that garden’s provider.
The proposed requirements are similar for cooperative gardens, except that no more than four patients or providers may participate in a single garden. Similar to recreational marijuana standards, collective gardens are prohibited within 1,000 feet of sensitive use areas such as daycare centers, bus stops, schools, parks and game arcades.
Commissioner Kal Patel said he had concerns about safety, specifically someone growing plants in their apartment. The ordinance states that plants in a cooperative garden must be grown within the domicile — living space — of one of the garden’s participants.
The ordinance also has a nuisance clause where any violation is declared to be a nuisance and the domicile may be abated.
“If they grow plants and it disrupts their neighbors, the landlord can evict them,” Braaten said.
Al Stover can be reached at [email protected].
Reader Comments(0)