Letters to the Editor

Online, Sept. 17: “No Zone”

Making every effort

The Reporter’s characterization of the city’s zoning verification and regulation process for the newly legalized recreational cannabis industry as obstructionist and unreasonably slow is deeply misleading and inaccurate in several respects. In fact, the city’s process for developing legislation and planning for its implementation has been innovative, thorough and responsible.

The Planning Commission has performed admirable due diligence in researching best practices nationally and balancing various stakeholder points-of-view in formulating recommendations to the governing body. There have been and will be sufficient opportunities for public input.

As the City Land Use Department planning manager who was quoted in the article in question, I wish to clarify for the record that the city is not prohibiting applicants from requesting zoning verification letters for new enterprises. We are, as a customer service, educating and advising them to wait until the governing body votes on new legislation on Sept. 29. The existing regulations would require an applicant to obtain a special use permit to operate as a producer, which is a cumbersome four-month process. It only makes sense to wait until the new regulations are in place to make a costly investment in a new business…The City of Santa Fe is making every effort to facilitate the launch of a new, potentially prosperous industry, and to provide safeguards for preserving the texture of Santa Fe commerce and culture.

Noah Berke, City of Santa Fe Land Use Department Planning Manager

Cover, Sept. 22: “Prison Rat”

Corrections assessment

NMCD is in shambles.

Kenneth Stalter VIA TWITTER @stalterlaw