City Council adopts new rules on medical marijuana; names two Mills Act properties

The La Cañada Flintridge City Council on Tuesday adopted regulations prohibiting medical marijuana dispensaries, cultivation and delivery inside city limits, as recommended by the Planning Commission.

California cities and towns have until March 1 of next year to maintain local regulatory authority over medical marijuana. After that, the state’s Medical Marijuana Regulation and Safety Act allows potential marijuana growers to apply for and receive licenses from the state.

Councilwoman Terry Walker took issue with the outright banning of marijuana delivery services.

“If someone in our town is in a lot of pain and is using marijuana legally for the treatment of pain, and say they are bedridden, is there any way in this code marijuana can be delivered to them?” she asked.

Susan Koleda, the city’s deputy director of community development, replied that as the regulations are currently written, that would not be allowed, but a patient’s caregiver or relative can go out and legally purchase marijuana from a city where sales are allowed, such as Pasadena, and bring it back to La Cañada.

“If you need OxyContin and your doctor prescribes it, and you get it from a pharmacy, they can delivery it to you,” Walker said. “I just hope that we’re not getting overzealous in prohibiting our citizens from obtaining legal medication legally without a lot of inconvenience.”

Councilman Jon Curtis concurred that he received a call from a resident with the same concern about delivery.

City Atty. Mark Steres noted there can be an opportunity to revisit the mobile delivery portion of the ordinance in the future.

“Staff believed this was the most prudent action to take at this time,” he said. “As time goes on we will see how mobile delivery works.”

More Mills Act contracts approved

In other action Tuesday, the council approved Mills Act contract designations for two historic La Cañada Flintridge properties, at 758 Flintridge Ave. and 2102 Cross Street.

The Mills Act is a state incentives program designed to encourage the restoration and preservation of historic, privately owned properties. The city has worked on developing a historic preservation ordinance to identify historical sites in town.

It had been offering a deduction in property taxes for such homes up to a collective $10,000 annually. That was recently expanded to an annual $20,000 to keep new applicants from being denied.

In order to qualify for a Mills Act contract, the property owner must make qualifying improvements and perform maintenance on the structure, according to the Planning Department.

Resident Theodore Thomas spoke before the council regarding the approximately 3,094-square-foot midcentury modern house at 758 Flintridge Ave.

He is the son of the original owners and current homeowner. The home was constructed in 1948 for Frank Thomas and his family.

Thomas was one of the original animators for the Walt Disney Co. who later came to be referred to in animation circles as the “Nine Old Men.” The house was designed by architect Theodore Criley Jr., and built by contractor Ray Gerhart. The home is also included on the state and National Register of Historic Places.

“I’m very grateful for the chance at this distinction and to preserve its future,” Thomas said.

The 1,100-square-foot craftsman-style Cross Street home, also known as the Hirschi House and Poultry Farm, was built in 1914 for Alfred and Marie Hirschi.

The original architect or designer is unknown, according to the Planning Department. The couple owned the home until 1962, and there have been multiple owners since. Current co-owner Dave Moore attended the meeting and said he wants to restore the house and raise his family there.

“It has a lot of original features, but not a lot has been done to it,” he said.

Prior to the public hearings, the City Council honored the undefeated La Cañada Gladiator Pee Wee team with special certificates of recognition.

The Gladiators finished the season with a record of 11-0 and defeated the Huntington Park Spartans 24-16 in the Nov. 21 conference championship game.

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Matt Sanderson is a contributing writer.