The Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors previously decided to cap the number of storefront cannabis dispensaries, and on Tuesday voted on criteria to score the applicants and ultimately pick operators.
Assistant County Executive Officer Barney Melekian said that he, Planning Director Lisa Plowman and a third county representative will judge the applications.
The county will permit up to six dispensaries, with one allowed in each community plan area: Summerland/Toro Canyon, Isla Vista and unincorporated Goleta, the eastern Goleta Valley, the Santa Ynez Valley, Los Alamos and Orcutt. Delivery businesses are also allowed in the county, and at least one has already been permitted.
Virtual public hearings were held earlier this year to get input on the scoring criteria.
The scoresheet includes a project description, the applicant’s record of local cannabis operations, a site security plan and a neighborhood compatibility assessment.
That one “is far less technical in nature and more focused on responding to neighborhood and community concerns,” Melekian said.
The supervisors approved the scoresheets, with a modification to weigh parking higher than odor control.
Melekian said the county is scheduled to start accepting applications in October.
— Noozhawk managing editor Giana Magnoli can be reached at gmagnoli@noozhawk.com. Follow Noozhawk on Twitter: @noozhawk, @NoozhawkNews and @NoozhawkBiz. Connect with Noozhawk on Facebook.