Regional planning efforts look to transform the 51-mile stretch of the Los Angeles River by restoring some of its natural functions for groundwater recharge and habitat. The city wishes to capitalize on its adjacency to the river and opportunities for riverfront development. If regional or subregional plans lead to the envisioned river transformation, the Riverfront Overlay Zone allows for high density residential and introduction of mixed-use commercial development along the river’s edge. Implementation of this overlay is contingent upon validation of a strong market need for those development types along the river. The creation of this overlay zone is intended as a holding zone dependent on pending plans for riverfront transformation. The intent is that the Riverfront Overlay Zone be applied in a comprehensive fashion. (Ord. 690 § 4 (Exh. A), 2018).

The Riverfront Overlay Zone shall be applied in the same manner as property is reclassified from one zone classification to another, as set forth in Chapter 20.84 CMC. When a Riverfront Overlay Zone is created, it shall be designated upon the zoning map of the city as an -R Zone. (Ord. 690 § 4 (Exh. A), 2018).

Development standards for the Riverfront Overlay Zone are intended to be flexible. Any application shall set forth the intended uses and development plan and shall demonstrate that the plans conform to the intent and purpose of the zone. Prior to implementation of the Riverfront Overlay Zone, the city will determine if increased development potential can be adequately served by the mobility system and supportive infrastructure. (Ord. 690 § 4 (Exh. A), 2018).

It is the purpose and intent of the city to regulate commercial cannabis production activity in a manner that is consistent with state statutes and that promotes the health, safety, and general welfare of the residents and businesses within the community, while limiting any negative impacts. It is also the intent of the city to encourage urban agriculture within the community. The Urban Agriculture Overlay Zone is established for this purpose. (Ord. 730 § 29, 2022; Ord. 690 § 4 (Exh. A), 2018).

Commercial cannabis production activities shall be allowed within the Urban Agriculture Overlay Zone pursuant to a development agreement adopted in accordance with the development agreement law (Government Code Section 65864 et seq.) and Chapter 20.84 CMC, Part 9. No such activities shall be permitted without a development agreement within or outside of the boundaries of the Urban Agriculture Overlay Zone. The city may approve or deny a development agreement in its sole discretion. In addition to the requirements in this chapter, all activities shall comply with Chapter 5.20 CMC. Notwithstanding the above, cannabis retailers shall be a permitted use in the Urban Agriculture Overlay Zone without a development agreement but subject to both the described application criteria and Chapter 5.30 CMC. (Ord. 730 § 29, 2022; Ord. 690 § 4 (Exh. A), 2018).

Adult-use commercial cannabis production activities and medicinal commercial cannabis production activities, as both are described in state law, including but not limited to the Medicinal and Adult Use Cannabis Regulation and Safety Act, are hereby prohibited unless otherwise allowed in this section. (Ord. 730 § 29, 2022; Ord. 690 § 4 (Exh. A), 2018).

No commercial cannabis production activities or cannabis retailer shall be located within the Urban Agriculture Overlay Zone as shown on the zoning map on any property fronting Atlantic Avenue with a storefront frontage facing Atlantic Avenue unless such commercial cannabis production activity or cannabis retailer employs and effectuates a business model with a primary entertainment purpose. (Ord. 730 § 29, 2022; Ord. 690 § 4 (Exh. A), 2018).

Urban agriculture, excluding cannabis horticulture, shall be subject to described application criteria within the Urban Agriculture Overlay Zone. Any outdoor urban agriculture (other than commercial cannabis) shall be subject to the operating standards in Chapter 20.52 CMC, Part 17, Urban Agriculture and Keeping of Animals. (Ord. 730 § 29, 2022; Ord. 690 § 4 (Exh. A), 2018).

The city reserves the right to issue temporary permits to cannabis retailers licensed permitted pursuant to Chapter 5.30 CMC, Cannabis Retailers, for on-site cannabis sales to, and consumption by, persons 21 years of age or older at a county fair, district agricultural association event, or other similar event authorized under state law, which is located within the Urban Agriculture Overlay Zone, pursuant to the provisions of Business and Professions Code Section 26200(e). (Ord. 730 § 29, 2022; Ord. 690 § 4 (Exh. A), 2018).

Provisions of this chapter adopted by a vote of the people of the city shall not be construed to supersede, repeal, nullify, or otherwise render inapplicable or unenforceable any other provision of this code not in conflict with such, including but not limited to nonconflicting provisions of Title 15, 16, 19 and 20 of this code. In the event of any conflict or inconsistency between provisions of this chapter that have been adopted by a vote of the people of the city and any provisions of this code adopted by the city council, the provision of this chapter shall govern and control but only to the limited extent of the conflict or inconsistency and no further. All such conflicts or inconsistencies shall be construed narrowly so as to allow for the broadest application of all other provisions of this code adopted by the city council. The city council further reserves and retains the right to amend or modify, in its sole and absolute discretion, any and all provisions of this code, excluding the provisions approved by a vote of the people of the city, to the extent any such amendments or modifications are not in conflict with the provisions of this chapter that have been approved by a vote of the people of the city. (Ord. 730 § 30, 2022).