San Joaquin County is considering rules that could allow cannabis retail sales within a half mile of Manteca’s eastern city limits.

The county planning commission on Thursday is considering adding new definition, use types, requirements, and land use development regulations for commercial cannabis activities in the unincorporated areas of San Joaquin County.

If the planning commission approves the rules and they are adopted by the Board of Supervisors at the same time they make a final decision on whether the commercial cultivation of marijuana will be allowed outside of the county’s seven incorporated cities, it would allow retail sales in industrial zones.

The closest such industrial zone to Manteca is along South Comconex Road off East Highway 120 just a half mile east of Austin Road that serves as Manteca’s eastern city limits. There are two churches — New Hope Church and Cornerstone Community Church — located along Comconex Road.

The rules would allow a traditional storefront or a non-storefront delivery service to operate in industrial zones.

Among unique requirements for such retail operations are:

*No product or signs inside the premises shall be viewable by the public from outside the premises.

*Off-premise signs are prohibited by either the licensee of any third party.

*All events related to cannabis retail sale, including but not limited to outdoor special events and indoor special events, shall be prohibited.

The commission will also consider rules governing commercial cannabis cultivation, distribution, manufacturing, and testing. All of the marijuana business activities — including retail sales — will require a use permit and a commercial cannabis development agreement.

Cultivation will be allowed in general agriculture zones as well as industrial park, limited industrial, and general industrial. No outdoor cultivation will be allowed.

The San Joaquin County Community Development Department received three letters on opposition. They were from the cities of Lathrop, Lodi, and Escalon.

The planning commission meets Thursday at 6:30 p.m. at the Public Health/Planning Auditorium of the San Joaquin Department of Public Health Services, 1601 East Hazelton Ave., Stockton.

To contact Dennis Wyatt, email dwyatt@mantecabulletin.com