JAMESTOWN, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – The Jamestown Building, Planning & Zoning Committee has set forth some guidelines for future dispensaries that may locate within city limits.

During the Tuesday meeting, Committee Chairman Ramone Gumke stated that previous discussion on the Compassion Care Centers operating within city limits led to staff forming questions that the council would need to decide on before moving forward with the permit language.

Some questions included conducting background investigations into compassion center agents prior to employment, imposing fees for special use permit, providing a notarized statement for a hold harmless against the city, and imposing additional regulations beyond what the North Dakota Department of Health requires.

Councilman Steve Brubakken stated he didn’t believe there would be a need to establish any regulations past what the state has already imposed.

After discussion, Councilman Dan Buchanan made the motion to approve all the staff suggestions and let them come up with a draft permit for council approval.

The motion was approved.

Later, Planning & Zoning Commission Chair Dave Hillerud brought forth the item of downtown parking. Hillerud stated that SRF had given them four different options to address parking in downtown Jamestown.

Hillerud said one of those options was eliminating any parking requirements downtown, which he believes is a very realistic option. Mayor Katie Andersen says removing possible “barriers” for downtown development would be a plus.

Gumke says at this time, the issue of parking is not necessarily a hindrance but it should still be looked at.

Hillerud was thanked for his and the committee’s continued work on planning & zoning.