On
December 18, 2017, following a report from City staff and opportunity for
public comment, the City Council of the City of Healdsburg adopted an interim
ordinance as an urgency measure pursuant to California Code Section 65858. Ordinance No. 1170 established a 45-day
moratorium on new stand-alone retail establishments engaging in the sale of
firearms. This ordinance will expire on
January 31, 2018. A City Council public
hearing will be scheduled for January 22, 2018, to consider extension of the
ordinance for a period of 10 months and 15 days.
California
Government Code Section 65858 (d) provides that at least ten days before
expiration of an interim ordinance or any extension, the legislative body shall
issue a written report describing the measures taken to alleviate the condition
which led to adoption of the interim ordinance.
The
subject interim ordinance was adopted in order to allow sufficient time for the
City of Healdsburg to receive community input and for City staff to study
amendments to the Land Use Code to address retail establishments selling
firearms.
Since December 18,
2017, City staff has reviewed the City’s current regulations and regulations in
other jurisdictions in Sonoma County. Staff
intends to continue its review, and expects to recommend that firearm sales be
allowed in an appropriate district in the City, with a Conditional Use Permit. The
Planning Commission and the City Council are expected to review and consider necessary
amendments early this year.