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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Medford standoff ends with man in custody ... Wildlife Images golden eagle gets cataract removed in Medford ... Portland, feds meet on changes to police use-of-force reporting ... Medford standoff ends with man in custody ... Wildlife Images golden eagle gets cataract removed in Medford ... Portland, feds meet on changes to police use-of-force reporting ... Phoenix lifts ban on commercial pot grows Comment By Tony Boom for the Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Tony Boom for the Mail Tribune Posted Feb. 3, 2016 at 12:24 PM Updated at 5:09 PM By Tony Boom for the Mail Tribune Posted Feb. 3, 2016 at 12:24 PM Updated at 5:09 PM » Social News The Phoenix City Council repealed a ban Monday on commercial cultivation of recreational marijuana. The repeal, which came on a split vote, may end several years of council deliberation over pot regulations. The ban was enacted in May 2015. “I’m hoping that, barring anything new coming up, we won’t have to go over this for a while,” said Mayor Jeff Bellah. “Since we put the moratorium in place, we have pretty well determined where commercial cultivation can happen.” Only a couple areas in town would be acceptable for a commercial grow within city limits, Planning Director Matt Brinkley said. Those are east of Interstate 5 near the Petro truck stop and near the south couplet of Highway 99 and Main Street. Commercial grow sites are limited to a maximum of 1,000 square feet. Officials determined that repeal of the ban was in the best interest of the city due to recent changes in state law on marijuana activities. Councilors Stan and Carolyn Bartell voted against the repeal, while Terry Helfrich, Chris Luz and Bruce Sophie voted in favor. “I don’t feel we have the teeth to get rid of the smell,” said Stan Bartell. He said issues with trying to control odor from grows in town have been going on for two years. No one spoke in favor or against the repeal during a public hearing held prior to council deliberations. The council amended an ordinance in October that governs where and in what manner marijuana could be grown commercially, but the moratorium has prevented any business from pursing the option. In July, revisions to land-use codes that govern commercial operation were adopted. Grows would need to be indoors and licensed by the city. There are also restrictions on proximity to residential areas, schools and park. Air-filtration systems must be used to control odors to the greatest extent feasible. A city tax on marijuana sales was repealed in December. The move will allow the city to receive a portion of state taxes collected on cannabis sales. Council in July approved an ordinance that establishes how recreational and medical marijuana may be grown in town. Recreational grows must be indoors, and a limited amount of medical marijuana may be grown outside. The council has also established regulations for both medical and recreational sales establishments. In other business the council: Agreed to seek applicants for a 60-day period to fill the council vacancy created when Karen Jones resigned Jan. 16. Councilors will review applications at the April 4 meeting for the position, which runs through December 2018. Discussed aspects of City Manager Steve Dahl’s performance evaluation in an executive session. Tony Boom is an Ashland freelance writer. Reach him at [email protected] By Tony Boom for the Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Tony Boom for the Mail Tribune Posted Feb. 3, 2016 at 12:24 PM Updated at 5:09 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... 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