Last night the City Council passed the first reading of an ordinance which prohibits the primary use of a residence for any business purpose, despite existing regulations against the disruptive use of residences for business purposes even when less than 50% usage of the home.
The City indicates the idea is intended largely to prevent the non-medicinal growth of marijuana, despite existing state and federal laws against such cultivation. The new ordinance would not prohibit growing marijuana in less than 50% of the house if the rest of the structure is used exclusively for residential use.
On top of any criminal sentences or nuisance penalties under current laws, the ordinance would create an additional misdemeanor fine of up to $1,000 and/or up to 6 months in jail. The item passed the first reading 4-1 with Cathy Schlicht opposing.
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The number of Code Enforcement employees has been reduced in Mission Viejo. The present staff is stretched to the point that they are just about useless.
The classic example is The Mission Ridge fiasco that carried on for years without city enforcement. So to add another ordinance that will not be enforced is just kidding the public.
Why would Cathy Schlicht oppose this?
[Editor's Note: Is it efficient for government to pass more laws prohibiting conduct that is already prohibited by other laws?]
Answer to editors note: No, but they feel better for doing it and get to campaign on their “tough on crime” positions. Those are much more important than being efficient.