Pomona has approved a map showing locations where cannabis businesses will be permitted.
The City Council adopted the map this week, endorsing city staff’s recommendations for areas throughout the city where retail, cultivation, distribution, manufacturing, micro and testing businesses may operate.
For most of the year, the council has been developing regulations for its cannabis ordinance such as approving the permit application process.
The council agreed to revise the map at is Nov. 4 meeting, by setting a 600-foot buffer citywide, eliminating several parcels.
The modification to the map was made after neighboring cities including Chino, Walnut, Claremont and La Verne raised concerns about the proximity of such activity to their respective shared borders with Pomona.
The revision led to the removal of several parcels on Foothill Boulevard but that wasn’t enough for some Claremont residents who spoke out Monday, Nov. 18. That’s because the map still included one parcel: the Pep Boys Auto Service & Tire, 340 E Foothill Blvd.
“It’s very disturbing to know that that proposal is up there. We strive to create a safe community for our children,” Claremont resident Abigail Jimenez told the council before the vote.
Councilman Robert Torres told the public it’s very unlikely that of any of the eight cannabis businesses that will be allowed to operate in the city will be located at that parcel.
“If that situation does occur, I just want the folks to know that as a resident, as a father, and as a neighbor who lives half a mile away from that area, I will be working with the community and surrounding cities to ensure Foothill Boulevard remains a safe place for families,” he said.
The council voted 6-0 to give final approval of the map. Councilman Steve Lustro was absent.
Pomona still has several steps before it can open the application period. The city is working on finalizing an implementation guide that is meant to go into the application process in more detail. In addition, the city needs to select a third party to be involved in the evaluation or scoring of applicants.
