Jacob Redmond
Well-Known Member
An appeal of a conditional use permit granted to a San Diego State University business professor to operate a medical marijuana dispensary in Otay Mesa will go before the city's Planning Commission Thursday morning.
The hearing had been scheduled for last month but was postponed because a few commission members said they couldn't stay for a meeting lasting longer than usual. Numerous members of the public had been signed up to speak.
In October, a city hearing officer granted a conditional use permit to David Blair to open A Green Alternative in a 1,400-square-foot space in a strip mall at 2335 Roll Drive, near the Brown Field airport. The ruling was appealed by Barbara Gordon, a North County drug prevention specialist.
Blair applied for the permit under rules established by the City Council earlier this year. The regulations require prospective dispensary owners to go through a lengthy permit application process, and also specify zoning and distances to keep the operations away from residences, schools, churches and the like.
In the case of A Green Alternative, the neighborhood is zoned "heavy commercial" and includes a fast-food restaurant, a filling station and a warehouse.
Gordon contends that "heavy commercial" doesn't adequately describe the area because the businesses are patronized by families with children, according to documents on the Planning Commission's website.
She argues a medical marijuana dispensary nearby would be detrimental to the youngsters' health and safety and also contends the city didn't provide proper notice of October's hearing to shop owners in the strip mall.
City staff rejected her points and recommends denying her appeal. According to a staff report, the dispensary satisfies the city regulations.
If A Green Alternative is allowed to open, it would be the first legal medical marijuana dispensary in San Diego and the second in the county. One opened on unincorporated land near El Cajon in July.
The Planning Commission has the final say on the issue, which cannot be appealed to the City Council.
The rules set by the City Council will allow up to four legal marijuana dispensaries per council district within city limits.
A couple of other dispensaries have been approved by the hearing officer. City planning staff is still processing other permit applications.
Police and code enforcement officers have worked with the City Attorney's Office to get court orders to shut down numerous pot shops operating illegally.
News Moderator: Jacob Redmond 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: City to rule whether SDSU prof can open pot shop - 10News.com KGTV ABC10 San Diego
Author: City News Service
Contact: kgtv_web@10news.com
Photo Credit: LA Times
Website: 10News - San Diego, California, News, Weather, Sports
The hearing had been scheduled for last month but was postponed because a few commission members said they couldn't stay for a meeting lasting longer than usual. Numerous members of the public had been signed up to speak.
In October, a city hearing officer granted a conditional use permit to David Blair to open A Green Alternative in a 1,400-square-foot space in a strip mall at 2335 Roll Drive, near the Brown Field airport. The ruling was appealed by Barbara Gordon, a North County drug prevention specialist.
Blair applied for the permit under rules established by the City Council earlier this year. The regulations require prospective dispensary owners to go through a lengthy permit application process, and also specify zoning and distances to keep the operations away from residences, schools, churches and the like.
In the case of A Green Alternative, the neighborhood is zoned "heavy commercial" and includes a fast-food restaurant, a filling station and a warehouse.
Gordon contends that "heavy commercial" doesn't adequately describe the area because the businesses are patronized by families with children, according to documents on the Planning Commission's website.
She argues a medical marijuana dispensary nearby would be detrimental to the youngsters' health and safety and also contends the city didn't provide proper notice of October's hearing to shop owners in the strip mall.
City staff rejected her points and recommends denying her appeal. According to a staff report, the dispensary satisfies the city regulations.
If A Green Alternative is allowed to open, it would be the first legal medical marijuana dispensary in San Diego and the second in the county. One opened on unincorporated land near El Cajon in July.
The Planning Commission has the final say on the issue, which cannot be appealed to the City Council.
The rules set by the City Council will allow up to four legal marijuana dispensaries per council district within city limits.
A couple of other dispensaries have been approved by the hearing officer. City planning staff is still processing other permit applications.
Police and code enforcement officers have worked with the City Attorney's Office to get court orders to shut down numerous pot shops operating illegally.
News Moderator: Jacob Redmond 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: City to rule whether SDSU prof can open pot shop - 10News.com KGTV ABC10 San Diego
Author: City News Service
Contact: kgtv_web@10news.com
Photo Credit: LA Times
Website: 10News - San Diego, California, News, Weather, Sports
