Page 3 - Sonoma County Gazette 12-18.indd

What’s Wrong with
Thanks to the author for making excellent points regarding this issue. My opinion: vineyards and pot farms need to be regulated with the same constraints that provide protection for neighboring residents. I live near
a well known vineyard and it is a reality for me that at a certain point in the growing cycle it begins to smell like I’m in a bottle of wine sitting
on my porch. The county needs to apply equal justice to wine and weed growers to protect residents.
Beef Mcwin
Regional Park Trails
There is growing public concern with the county government’s cannabis ordinance not considering regional park trails as being “public parks.” This issue recently came to
a head with a commercial cannabis operation that is being proposed for a property that is adjacent to the West County Trail near Graton.
definition would insure that the cannabis ordinance is amended to require that trails such as the West County Regional Trail and the Joe Rodota Regional Trail are given the same setback as other parks, generally 1,000 feet from cannabis operations.
Cannabis Ordinance
Sonoma County residents use regional trails as linear parks for walking, introducing children to nature, sitting on park benches, and enjoying wildlife. These trails are viewed by the public as parks because they are easily accessible, scenically beautiful, and have well-surfaced trails that can be used by the elderly and handicapped.
are Public Parks
Recreating families, children, the elderly, and the disabled should not be exposed to the visual presence or odor from a commercial cannabis operation. Even the cannabis ordinance prohibits grows near parks and other “sensitive areas.” Many members of the public perceive marijuana operations as potential sites for robbery and crime. It is not appropriate to have these operations located close to park trails because of these public concerns.
Graton residents and trail users
are requesting that county officials include all Sonoma County Regional Trails in the “public parks” definition of the cannabis ordinance. This
If you love these trails as I do,
I urge you to contact the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors and request these trails be considered
LETTERS cont’d on page 4
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