2-06-2022 10:55pm

Franklin City: Medical Marijuana Cultivators, Processors & Retailers May Not Be Welcomed

Beth Callahan Editor

FRANKLIN, OH -- The agenda is full for Franklin Council’s regular meeting on Monday’s Feb., 7 at 6 PM.

New legislation will be introduced that will prohibit medical Marijuana cultivators, processors and retail dispensaries within the city limits.

Currently, the city has a moratorium that prohibits these types of establishments, but it expires on June 1, 2022. The moratorium’s purpose was to give the City time to study data.

City Manager Jonathan Westendorf is recommending the legislation based on the information and input collected from the City’s new public safety department heads, which concluded for the best interests of the Franklin community, medical Marijuana cultivation, processing and retail activities should be prohibited

If passed this Ordinance will go into effect on April 6, 2022.

Also, on the agenda is City Engineer Barry Conway’s request for a resolution allowing the city manager to sign an intergovernmental agreement with Montgomery County Board of Commissioners concerning the final design of the Dayton-Cincinnati Pike Retaining Wall. The wall sits in both Franklin City Limits and Montgomery County’s Miami Township and is in need of repair.

The resolution would allow Franklin to jointly work with the Montgomery County Engineer’s Office to complete a final design for the retaining wall holding up Dayton-Cincinnati Pike also known as N. Dixie Highway.

The County and City will share in the cost of the engineering firm. Since approximately 53 percent of the wall is located in Franklin’s limits, the city will be responsible for 53 percent of the engineering firm’s cost, which is estimated to be $140,000.

The Montgomery County Engineer estimates the total cost of the retaining wall project, which includes the engineer fees, to be approximately $1.6 Million.

The final design for the wall is expected to be completed in 2022 with construction work being done in 2024.

Council is also scheduled to approve, per its charter, council members and members-at-large to authorized boards and commissions for not only the city, but for other regional boards and commissions, in which it belongs. Scheduled to be appointed are...

Paul Ruppert: Council Member appointed to the City of Franklin Planning Commission for a one (1) year term, January 1, 2022 to December 31, 2022.

Christine Pirot: Appointed to the Planning Commission for a four (4) year term, ending December 31, 2025.

Elizabeth Townsley: Appointed to the Board of Zoning, Building & Housing Appeals for a four (4) year term, ending December 31, 2025.

Brian Graves: Appointed to the Civil Service Commission for a six (6) year term, January 1, 2022, to December 31, 2027.

Bill Ray Osborn & Chris Saporito: Appointed to the Parks and Recreation Board for a four (4) year term ending December 31, 2025.

Rodney Roberts: Appointed to the City of Franklin Parks and Recreation Commission for a four (4) year term, January 1, 2020, to December 31, 2023.

Shane Centers (Franklin Twp. Trustee): Appointed to fulfill the remainder of Franklin Township Administrator Ms. Stivers' term on City of Franklin Parks and Recreation Commission, said term ending December 31, 2023.

Brent Centers (Jonathan Westendorf, Alternate): Appointed to the Miami Valley Regional Planning Commission (MVRPC) for a one (1) year term, January 1, 2022, to December 31, 2022.

Jonathan Westendorf (Barry Conway, Alternate): Appointed to the Miami Valley Regional Planning Commission Technical Advisory Committee (MVRPC-TAC) for a one (1) year term, January 1, 2022, to December 31, 2022.

Adam McClanahan: Appointed to the Warren County Board of Health for a one (1) year term, January 1, 2022, to December 31, 2022.

Jill Wright: Appointed to Special Events Committee to fulfill the remainder of Ms. Roberts’ term, said term ending December 31, 2022.

Appointed to the Firing Range Committee: