Cannabis Permits Debate to Rise Oct. 19, By Jondi Gumz • A Heart for

COMMUNITY NEWS Cannabis Permits Debate to Rise Oct. 19

By Jondi Gumz

The conflict between people living in rural Corralitos and would-be cannabis growers who see opportunities in the less populated areas of the county will return in 45 days, with a public hearing slated Oct. 19.

That’s because county supervisors voted 4-1 on Tuesday to support a 45-day moratorium on cannabis licenses to better understand the potential problems and work out a solution.

The proposal initially supported by Second District Supervisor Zach Friend, whose district includes Corralitos, Aptos and La Selva Beach, would have prohibited cannabis licenses on commercial agriculture land within 500 feet of residentially zoned parcels.

A preliminary analysis found this would have decreased the commercial land available to cannabis growers from 1,462 to 689 parcels.

Many sites are not suitable for cannabis due to proximity to homes.

Haven Williams and other residents on Browns Valley Road worried about odor, noise from buzzing generators, and additional security.

Third District Supervisor Manu Koenig proposed the ban apply to parcels within 500 feet of “residential structures,” which got the votes of supervisors of Friend, Manu Koenig, Bruce McPherson and Greg Caput but not

Zach Friend speaking remotely during the meeting. Ryan Coonerty, who felt the moratorium was too big of a change.

The county counsel ruled the wording of the proposed ordinance could change because it was presented as an urgency measure.

At this point it’s not known how many parcels are affected but there may be clarity before the public hearing.

Robert Kitayama of Kitayama Brothers in South County, a grower for 55 years, said he is in the process of selling 5 acres of greenhouse land, property eligible for cannabis — a deal would probably be in jeopardy if this moratorium were adopted.

The proceeds from the land sale would “go to upgrade cut flower farming,” he said, adding, “We believe legal cannabis can be done correctly.”

Darren Story, 49, CFO for Strong Agronomy, described himself to the Aptos Times as “born and raised in the area” with good relations with neighbors thanks to regular communication. His operation sells organic blueberries to Live Earth Farm in Watsonville for CSAdelivered boxes and cannabis sold via Coastal Sun Farm throughout the state.

He worried about license renewals becoming more difficult, harming an operation that has 79 employees now and has had up to 120 employees in the past.

Corralitos residents have formed a group called Coalition for Balanced Land Use, researching the names of people involved in a cannabis grow on Browns Valley Road looking for criminal activity.

Friend said he had been deluged with public comment from both sides, and that is likely to happen again leading up to to Tuesday, Oct.19, public hearing, and subsequent action. n

Agendas for upcoming supervisor meetings will be posted at: http://santacruzcountyca.iqm2.com/citizens/default.aspx?

A Heart for Horses: Bike, Walk or Ride for Rescues on Oct. 9

By Jennifer Wooten

Canham Farm Horse Rescue is a horse rescue, training and education facility dedicated to helping all horses in need with a special focus on wild horse rescue and advocacy. Whether it be horses or ponies who have been neglected and need a place to rehabilitate, those who are gifted to us by their owners who can no longer keep them, horses bound for slaughter in Canada or Mexico or unwanted wild horses, we try to help as many horses as we can.

Our mission is to work with rescue horses, horse owners, communities, organizations, government and advocate for wild horses to help improve welfare standards and stamp out equine suffering.

We also have a project called Horses Helping Humans aimed to use the healing power of horses for anyone suffering from anxiety, stress, people dealing with difficult circumstances, vulnerable youth and children and adults with disabilities.

The founder of Canham Farm Horse Rescue is Julia Hyde. She has been lucky enough to be able to spend a lot of time with horses when she was younger and through the years and has grown to love and respect them more and more. A proud mother of four grown children, she lives in Scotts Valley with her husband, her own three horses, and rescue dog.

Julia says, “I have seen a lot of good things done with horses in my time but unfortunately I have seen more bad. This is the reason I started Canham Farm Horse Rescue and Rehab — it was, and still is, a way for me to give back to all the horses that have, and are still, abused, neglected or unwanted.”

Canham Farm is hosting a fundraiser Oct. 9 in Scotts Valley. All donations from the fundraiser go directly to the care of our rescue horses! Funds raised go towards grain, hay, vet expenses, dental care, farrier costs, and much more. We are nonprofit run solely by volunteers and are always grateful to our generous supporters, donators, and sponsors!