City extends cannabis shop hours unanimously

With a unanimous vote on a consent agenda, Clovis city commissioners Thursday greenlighted a new city ordinance allowing cannabis shops to remain open later.

Once the ordinance goes into effect, cannabis businesses can stay open to 10 p.m., two hours later than currently.

The retailers can continue to open at 9 a.m. and they can still operate daily.

When the ordinance was introduced at the Commission’s Dec. 19 meeting, Clovis Police Chief Roy Rice said officers in his administration did not oppose extending the hours.

After the meeting, Assistant City Manager Claire Burroughes and Assistant City Clerk Vicki Reyes said the ordinance is expected to go into effect by month’s end.

In other business:

• Commissioners approved the adoption of an ordinance removing carport overlay zones, establishing a carport application and permit, and amending the city’s unified development ordinance.

• Commissioners approved an affordable housing plan as directed by the state government in 2023.

Jackie Fishman with Consensus Planning of Albuquerque gave an online presentation to commissioners on the plan.

The study analyzed city data on what is needed in affordable housing in the next five years.

Fishman generally described goals and objectives in the study that were unanimously approved by the commissioners.

• Those who had “Holiday Yards of the Month” in the four city districts were honored.

There were two winners in each district.

Commissioners Juan Garza and George Jones presented the awards for District 1 to the Parmenter family on Fairway Terrace and Joshua Cleveland of Ethan Avenue.

With Commissioner Gene Porter absent from the meeting, District 2 Commissioner Gail Tarson presented the awards for that district to two across-the-street neighbors from Wilshire Boulevard, Augustin Gomez and Raymond Sena.

In Commissioners Helen Casaus and Debbie Zamora’s District 3, one award went to Daron Roach on Hull Street and Gloria Hawk on Kent Place.

District 4 Commissioners Chris Bryant and Megan Palla presented awards to Jeff Lynn on Lore Street and Daniel Paulison on West Yucca Street.

Palla said there were 19 nominations and over 300 people voted on the awards.

• Clovis Mayor Mike Morris said city offices will be closed Monday for Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

The next city commission will be 5:15 p.m. Feb. 6 in the North Annex of the Clovis-Carver Library.