Medical Marijuana Grow Facility Approved By County Supervisors

Kompo Care in Taylor is one of four active medical marijuana dispensaries registered in Navajo County, including those in Holbrook, Show Low and Winslow.

Navajo County ordinances specify that medical marijuana off-site cultivation must be exclusively associated with a medical marijuana dispensary located within Navajo County. While principals of the Taylor dispensary currently purchase medical marijuana from other state registered dispensaries, Navajo County prohibits those dispensaries from purchasing marijuana from any Navajo County dispensary.

Kompo Care officials say that the new cultivation facility will allow the company to source its own in-house operations with greater quality control and significant cost savings.

State of Arizona and Navajo County health services departments stipulate stringent regulations governing all aspects of medical marijuana manufacture and distribution. Kompo Care was found to be in full compliance with all registration, operation and zoning guidelines in order to receive the special use permit from county officials. Specifically, the Navajo County Planning and Zoning Commission requires that such facilities meet a 1,500’ separation from all churches, schools, daycare centers, preschools, kindergartens, public parks, playgrounds, public recreation facilities, adult-oriented businesses and other medical marijuana facilities. County ordinances also require that medical marijuana cultivation facilities post no external signage or outward indications related to the dispensed product.

Kompo Care staff say they have elected to employ 24-hour security personnel, closed-circuit video surveillance and dual perimeter alarm systems at the grow facility site, in excess of Navajo County building security and State Department of Health provision requirements.

Some Snowflake residents who live in the direct vicinity of the upcoming facility’s property voiced strong opposition to its construction at the hearing, primarily stating concern that its presence will compromise resident safety, decrease the resale value of surrounding properties and introduce an attractive nuisance to the neighborhood.

One local business owner posited, “If so much security is required by the state for them to be there, and they are going to increase that security, that’s going to draw (unsavory) people to that facility who will wonder ‘What’s out there?’ If they’re in that area, then they’re in a ‘shopping’ mode, looking to find out what the security is all about.”

Conversely, Kompo Care principals present at the hearing noted that, although a few members of the local community have voiced valid concerns over the facility’s arrival, “a few people should not be the voice of the majority.” They said they spoke directly to area residents during their project’s preliminary planning phase and obtained nearly 400 petition signatures of support from the Snowflake community.

The Snowflake property owner who sold land to Kompo Care for the commercial construction project says he feels that the grow facility will serve to enhance the local Snowflake economy. “The whole property is in shambles right now, it’s an eyesore for the town. I see (Kompo Care) as helping the town grow. I am a small business owner, and our town is slowly dying because of the lack of good paying jobs. My effort is to do as many things as I can to help the Town of Snowflake.” The property owner plans to develop the property for further commercial use in the future.

Despite the respectful exchange of strong opinions from both sides of the issue, the final ruling decision was deadlocked among the Board. Chairwoman Dawnafe Whitesinger exercised her deciding vote of approval in support of the facility.

She commented “I have resolutions in understanding the perspectives of our community and their concerns, and for family, livelihood, and property. But I also understand my responsibility as a person who represents the law of the land. When we look at voters and what they anticipated for our community for us to uphold medical marijuana, we support you.

She elaborated, “I say that for a number of reasons. It’s important to recognize our capacity here in our governing body to support voters and what they’ve already decided. Too, understanding our community and resources in Navajo County, and the people who have invested so much time in supporting and looking at the parcel of land, and understanding what the parcel of land is going to be utilized for, providing the appropriate information so that we can make a sound decision in ensuring that we are following the letter of the law. In all of the elements, we are fulfilling the letter of the law.

“I know it’s a difficult thing, and I understand the individuals and families who live within these communities, as I have family and concerns as a mother who lives within a community,” she said.

In other action July 14, the board:

* Approved a proclamation designating July 12-18 as Pretrial, Probation and Parole Supervision Week.

* Approved a professional services agreement between the Navajo County Public Health Services District and Hannah Kilber, an experienced health educator, for health education with the Teen Pregnancy Prevention Program at the rate of $15 per hour for July 1, 2015, to June 30, 2016.

* Awarded a contract for pavement markings to the lowest responsible bidder Pavement Marking, Inc.

* Approved a resolution granting a request by F Bar Cattle Company and Cellular One for a special use permit for an additional cell tower.

* Tabled to July 28 the consideration and possible adoption of a resolution approving or denying a special use permit for a Manulux Manufactured Home Park in the Lakeside area.

The next regular board meeting will be held at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, July 28, at the county complex in Holbrook.