Development Code Updates
The Board of Trustees approved two amendments to the Firestone Development Code (FDC) in two separate actions during Wednesday night's meeting.
The first, Ordinance 1058, updated the FDC as it relates to car washes.
The Town's zoning regulations regarding the design and location of car wash facilities and water conservation measures for these developments were inadequate in relation to the Town's goals related to the use of the Town's water supply. With the approved Ordinance, the changes to the FDC will address these existing deficiencies and enact more robust water conservation regulations.
The second, Ordinance 1059, updated the FDC related to the regulation of natural medicine.
In November 2022, Colorado voters approved Proposition 122, allowing access to Natural Psychedelic Substances, decriminalizing the use of certain plants or fungi for people 21 years of age and older, and mandating that the State create a regulatory scheme allowing supervised administration of psilocybin, also known as psychedelic mushrooms.
In May 2023, the Governor signed Senate Bill 23-290, entitled "Natural Medicine Regulation and Legalization," into law, which clarifies and sets the regulatory framework for a natural medicine program in Colorado. Senate Bill 23-290 also authorizes the Board of Trustees to enact an ordinance to:
- Regulate the time, place, and manner of the operation of natural medicine business licenses issued by the State.
- Limit the areas where the cultivation, manufacturing, testing, storage, distribution, transfer, and dispensation of natural medicine and natural medicine products may be permitted in the Town.
- Establish distance restrictions for buildings where natural medicine services are provided near a child care center, preschool, elementary, middle, junior, high school, residential child care facility, or residential dwelling.
With the approval of Ordinance 1059, the Board of Trustees amended specific provisions of Chapters 3, 6, and 11 of the FDC to accomplish these objectives and to facilitate the integration of natural medicine businesses into the Town.