By Tammy Gray The former Budweiser warehouse facility located at 1508 Joy Nevin Blvd. in Holbrook could see new life thanks to an approval of a conditional use permit by the Holbrook Planning and Zoning Commission. The permit will allow the cultivation of medical marijuana at the site. The property is already zoned for commercial use, but medical marijuana regulations require that a special use permit be issued for any cultivation or dispensary sites. Members of the planning and zoning commission unanimously approved the permit during a meeting on Thursday, May 20. Commission members noted that they had heard concerns from the public about odor control at the facility and questioned whether the odor from the cultivation of marijuana would be significant. “First and foremost, whenever there is cultivation there is significant odor mitigation,” permit applicant Raymond Wright noted. “I will do good at odor mitigation.” Planning and Zoning Administrator Brent Foutz explained that the state has strict guidelines regarding odor control and state representatives will also conduct annual inspections. “The state oversees this very strictly,” he said. Foutz explained that property owners in the area had been sent individuals notices asking for comments regarding the request for the special use permit and none had been received. The commission also approved a conditional use permit for Wright to operate a medical marijuana dispensary at the old Pow Wow building. The dispensary will be located adjacent to the existing smoke shop. “This is strictly for medical marijuana?” Chairman Mike Sample asked. Wright noted that at this point the request is only for medical marijuana and that the conditional use permit is only the first step in the process of obtaining a state license to dispense medical marijuana. He noted that there is a possibility that he could seek a recreational license in the future. “Right now it’s just medical use,” he said. Sample recommended that the commission approve the permit with the condition that it is only applicable for medical marijuana. “You’ll have to come back for another one for recreational,” he said. The board unanimously approved the conditional use permit. In other action, the commission unanimously approved a zoning change requested by Spartin Incorporated for property the company owns at 115 E. Hampshire St., which is connected directly behind the Super Fuels station located at 866 Navajo Blvd. The change will allow Super Fuels to complete a proposed expansion of the convenience store. Foutz noted that there was no comment from surrounding property owners, and since the properties are adjacent to each other the rezoning is permitted.
