HomeMy WebLinkAboutCannabis Selection Criteria Handout
Palm Desert is well known as a desirable place to do business and, as with any type of
business, it is important that potential cannabis businesses be thoughtfully reviewed to
ensure consistency with the community’s values and priorities. Furthermore, the City
anticipates that there may be more applications for cannabis business conditional use
permits than allowed under Ordinance 1329. Therefore, the City has enacted, through
Resolution, the following process for prioritizing applications.
I. Initial Review
All commercial cannabis businesses are required to submit a Conditional Use
Permit (CUP) application, with fee, to the City’s Community Development
Department. Applications will be reviewed for “completeness” to ensure that
applicants have submitted all the required information necessary for review of
the application. Only applications received within the first week of December
2017 (“initial review and prioritization period”) and deemed complete will
move on for review under the City’s selection criteria. After the initial review
and prioritization period, additional applications will be reviewed and
processed according to date the application is accepted as complete and will
not be subject to the review and prioritization process.
II. Selection Criteria
The following selection criteria will be used by the Department of Community
Development to evaluate and prioritize CUPs for commercial cannabis
businesses. Selection criteria listed below are worth a maximum of five points
each. A maximum total of 95 points is available for each application. To
obtain points, the applicant must demonstrate compliance with the criteria
listed. Applicants who exceed the minimum standards listed in the selection
criteria will earn higher point totals.
1. Location and Neighborhood Compatibility (35 points)
a. Has the applicant secured a lease and do the CCRs permit the use?
b. Is the location 1,000 feet away from schools, daycares, and youth
centers?
c. Are “sensitive uses” (places of worship, parks, pre-schools, drug or
rehab centers) within 500 feet of the location?
d. Has the applicant provided a detailed description of how the premises
and exterior building areas will be managed so as to avoid nuisance,
loitering, and other negative impacts on surrounding properties?
e. Does the applicant identify adequate odor control measures?
f. Is the operation plan prepared in accordance with Chapter 5.101?
g. Is the proposed use located in an appropriate zoning designation?
City of Palm Desert – Commercial
Cannabis Businesses: Selection Criteria
2
2. Security Plan (10 points)
a. Is a detailed security plan provided that includes descriptions for
effective fire prevention, suppression, HVAC and alarm systems?
b. Does the security plan identify all required elements contained in
Chapter 5.101 and adequately address security for the particular site
and operation?
3. Qualifications/Experience of Professionals (15 points)
a. Does the applicant provide a viable business plan in accordance with
Chapter 5.101?
b. Does the applicant provide information demonstrating successful
previous business experience?
c. Do the principals of the business have successful business
experience?
4. Building Façade and Interior Improvements (20 points)
a. Does the applicant provide a detailed tenant improvement plan that
identifies all interior improvements?
b. Are the interior improvements attractive and in keeping with traditional
retail or industry standards?
c. Are the exterior façade improvements attractive, suitable for Palm
Desert’s image and climate, and enhance the surrounding areas?
d. Does the applicant provide a detailed architectural plan for building
façade improvements?
5. Community Benefits (15 points)
a. Does the applicant provide an effective community outreach plan for
nearby and adjacent land uses?
b. Does the applicant describe credible benefits to the overall community,
local economy, and any community or non-profit contributions or
affiliations?
c. Does the applicant provide any additional community benefits
described in either their business plan or other documentation
submitted as part of the CUP?
III. Lottery
Applicants will be ranked based on total point scores, with the highest score
given rank “1”. Ties will be decided by lottery. Applicants will then be
processed for CUPs and Regulatory Permits concurrently based on rank until
the permitted number of locations are satisfied. If the proposed location of
higher ranked applicant precludes a lower ranked applicant’s location, than
that lower ranked application shall be put on hold and lower ranked
applications considered, until applications have been selected for processing
for the permitted number of locations. CUPs will not be granted until that
applicant has been issued a regulatory permit. (Or the granting of CUPs will
be conditioned on the applicant’s acquisition of a Regulatory Permit.)