Socially Equitable Cannabis Program

SCH# 2023090330

The County is developing a Socially Equitable Cannabis Program (Cannabis Program) as directed by the Board of Supervisors on January 27, 2021. The proposed Cannabis Program will apply to the unincorporated areas of the County. The Cannabis Program will allow for and establish a permitting and licensing system for new commercial cannabis activities, including retail, cultivation, manufacturing, distribution, testing, microbusinesses, and temporary events. Furthermore, the Cannabis Program will contain and be informed by a Social Equity Program which will provide greater opportunities for individuals negatively or disproportionately impacted by cannabis criminalization and the War on Drugs. Adoption of the Cannabis Program will require amendments to the San Diego County Code of Regulatory Ordinances and the San Diego County Zoning Ordinance to establish licensing and operational regulations for a range of cannabis cultivation and non-cultivation uses authorized under state law.

FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT

For responses to comments and a summary of revisions, please see Chapter 9.

Environmental Documents

Final PEIR (Complete)

Title Page

Table of Contents

Summary

Chapter 1 – Project Description

Chapter 2 – Environmental Effects of the Project

2.1 Approach to the Environmental Analysis

2.2 Aesthetics

2.3 Agricultural and Forest Resources

2.4 Air Quality

2.5 Biological Resources

2.6 Cultural and Paleontological Resources

2.7 Energy

2.8 Geology, Soils, and Mineral Resources

2.9 Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Climate Change

2.10 Hazards and Hazardous Materials

2.11 Hydrology and Water Quality

2.12 Land Use and Planning

2.13 Noise

2.14 Population and Housing

2.15 Public Services

2.16 Transportation

2.17 Tribal Cultural Resources

2.18 Utilities and Service Systems

2.19 Wildfire

Chapter 3 – Environmental Effects Found Not to be Significant

Chapter 4 – Alternatives

Chapter 5 – Other CEQA Sections

Chapter 6 – References

Chapter 7 – Report Preparers

Chapter 8 – Mitigation Measures

Chapter 9 – Comment Responses and Summary of Revisions

Appendix A – Notice of Preparation and Comments Received

Appendix B – Proposed Amendments to the Zoning Ordinance and Regulatory Code

Appendix C – Air Quality, Greenhouse Gas, and Energy Modeling

Appendix D – Noise Measurement Data and Modeling Calculations

Appendix E – Letter A6 Attachments - Proposed Amendments to the San Diego County Zoning Ordinance and Code of Regulatory Ordinances for Cannabis Uses and Mitigation and Monitoring Reporting Plan

Appendix F - Letter I34 Attachment - Los Angeles Times Article

Appendix G - Letter PM 104 Attachment - Los Angeles Times Article

Circulation of the Draft PEIR

The County of San Diego Planning & Development Services (PDS), as Lead Agency, circulated for public review a Draft Program Environmental Impact Report (PEIR) (State Clearinghouse No. 2023090330) for the Socially Equitable Cannabis Program, in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).

PDS sought public and agency input on the Draft PEIR and related amendments to the San Diego County Code of Regulatory Ordinances and the San Diego County Zoning Ordinance.

Printed copies of the Draft PEIR and appendices could be reviewed at the PDS Project Processing Counter (5510 Overland Avenue, Suite 110, San Diego, CA 92123) and at the following library branches (visit http://www.sdcl.org/locations for locations and hours):

Alpine, 1752 Alpine Boulevard, Alpine, CA 91901

Bonita-Sunnyside, 4375 Bonita Road, Bonita CA 91902

Borrego Springs, 2580 Country Club Road, Borrego Springs, CA 92004

Campo-Morena Village, 31356 Highway 94, Campo, CA 91906

Fallbrook, 124 South Mission Road, Fallbrook, CA 92028

Julian, 1850 Highway 78, Julian, CA 92036, (760) 765-0370

Lakeside, 12428 Woodside Avenue, Lakeside, CA 92040

Ramona, 1275 Main Street, Ramona, CA 92065

Rancho San Diego, 11555 Via Rancho San Diego, El Cajon, CA 92019

Rancho Santa Fe, 17040 Avenida de Acacias, Rancho Santa Fe, CA 92067

Spring Valley, 836 Kempton Street, Spring Valley, CA 91977

Valley Center, 29200 Cole Grade Road, Valley Center, CA 92082

Comments on the Draft PEIR were received no later than March 31, 2025, at 4:00 p.m. (a 60-day public review period). Staff held public meetings to solicit comments on the Draft PEIR. Comments on the draft PEIR were submitted to: Jessica Norton, Project Manager and should reference the project name.

Comments could be submitted via an online form at https://engage.sandiegocounty.gov/cannabis-program-eir, via e-mail to PDS.LongRangePlanning@sdcounty.ca.gov, or via mail to 5510 Overland Avenue, Suite 210, San Diego CA, 92123.

Public Meetings

The County hosted three virtual public meetings to receive comments on:

Wednesday, February 5, 2025, at 6:00 p.m.
Thursday, February 6, 2025, at 6:00 p.m.
Wednesday February 12, 2025, at 6:00 p.m.

The County also hosted two in-person open houses at the following locations:

Tuesday, February 25, 2025, at 5:30-7:30 p.m., Lakeside County Library, 12428 Woodside Avenue, Lakeside, CA, 92040
Wednesday, February 26, 2025, at 5:30-7:30 p.m., Valley Center County Library, 29200 Cole Grade Road, Valley Center, CA, 92082

Please direct any questions or formal comments to the project contacts below.

Project Contact: Dara Elkurdi | PDS.LongRangePlanning@sdcounty.ca.gov | (858) 505-6677

DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT

PUBLIC REVIEW PERIOD (January 30, 2025 - March 31, 2025)

Notice of Availability

Notice of Availability Mailed Legal Ad with Translations

Notice of Completion

ENVIRONMENTAL DOCUMENTS

Draft PEIR (Complete)

Title Page

Table of Contents

Summary

Chapter 1 – Project Description

Chapter 2 – Environmental Effects of the Project

2.1 Approach to the Environmental Analysis

2.2 Aesthetics

2.3 Agricultural and Forest Resources

2.4 Air Quality

2.5 Biological Resources

2.6 Cultural and Paleontological Resources

2.7 Energy

2.8 Geology, Soils, and Mineral Resources

2.9 Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Climate Change

2.10 Hazards and Hazardous Materials

2.11 Hydrology and Water Quality

2.12 Land Use and Planning

2.13 Noise

2.14 Population and Housing

2.15 Public Services

2.16 Transportation

2.17 Tribal Cultural Resources

2.18 Utilities and Service Systems

2.19 Wildfire

Chapter 3 – Environmental Effects Found Not to be Significant

Chapter 4 - Alternatives

Chapter 5 - Other CEQA Sections

Chapter 6 - References

Chapter 7 - Report Preparers

Chapter 8 - Mitigation Measures

Appendix A - Notice of Preparation and Comments Received

Appendix B - Proposed Amendments to the Zoning Ordinance and Regulatory Code

Appendix C - Air Quality, Greenhouse Gas, and Energy Modeling

Appendix D - Noise Measurement Data and Modeling Calculations

Notice of Preparation

On September 15, 2023, the County sent public notice that an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) would be prepared for the Socially Equitable Cannabis Program. The County sought input from the public and agencies on potential environmental impacts of the proposed Cannabis Program, ways to mitigate those impacts, and alternatives that may lessen those impacts.