Pubdate: Thu, 02 Jul 2015
Source: Sun, The (Yuma, AZ)
Copyright: 2015 The Sun
Contact: http://www.yumasun.com/sections/opinion/submit-letters/
Website: http://www.yumasun.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1258
Author: Cesar Neyoy, Bajo El Sol

COMMISSION AGAIN OPPOSES POT DISPENSARY IN SAN LUIS

SAN LUIS, Ariz. - For the second time in less than a month, the San 
Luis Planning and Zoning Commission is opposing a request to open a 
medicinal marijuana dispensary in the city's downtown.

The commission voted 5-1 on Tuesday to recommend that the San Luis 
City Council deny a permit request made by A&F Home Builders for a 
dispensary to be located in a commercial building at 708 N. Archibald St.

Commissioners said their recommendation was based not on any 
objections to a dispensary but rather to its proposed location in 
what is described as an area of heavy traffic downtown.

Commissioners previously recommended denial of the permit on a 3-1 
vote on June 9. The vote had to be done over, however, owing to a 
rule requiring that a majority of the commission's seven members 
either recommend in favor of or against a permit request before it 
can be referred to the city council.

The permit request now goes to the city council for a possible 
decision during its meeting next Wednesday.

On Tuesday, Commissioner Maria Guzman moved that the commission vote 
in favor of the request, but the motion died for lack of a second. 
Then a motion made by Commissioner Bill Cordova to recommend permit 
denial was seconded by Commissioner Daniel Bazua and approved 5-1, 
with Guzman casting the dissenting vote.

"We continue to be concerned about the issue of traffic on Archibald 
Street, where the dispensary is proposed, and by the availability of 
parking," said Commissioner Javier Barraza. "They say there are seven 
spaces, but they haven't presented us a plan that shows that.

"We have been in the area," he added, "and we have noticed that the 
traffic right now is heavy on that street. We are asking ourselves 
what problems there could be during the (winter) season with even 
heavier traffic."

But Guzman argued that the dispensary would generate additional tax 
revenue for city coffers and create jobs.

"If we understand that sales in (San Luis) businesses are the biggest 
source of revenue for the city, we have to be realistic and think 
about that benefit," she said. "We have to create an environment of 
open doors to new businesses."

Commissioner Guillermina Fuentes declared a conflict of interest and 
did not vote on the permit request, since she owns A&F Home Builders, 
which owns the building and is making the permit request on behalf of 
the unidentified business that would operate the dispensary.

Dave Patterson, representative of the proposed operator, said the 
proposed site is the best available since it would be within easy 
walking distance by those medicinal marijuana patients unable to drive to it.

He said the available parking at the site is sufficient since the 
dispensary would be expected to attend to an average of three 
patients daily, with only one in the sales area at any given time.

Jenny Torres, the city's economic development director, said the 
proposed site meets all regulations governing dispensaries, among 
them that it be at least 2,000 feet from any school, park or public 
meeting place. In fact, she said, it is the only suitable site available.

And, Torres added, marijuana patients in San Luis now permitted by 
the state to grow pot on their property are nonetheless prompting 
ongoing complaints by neighbors to police.

"With a dispensary, those patients would no longer be allowed to 
cultivate marijuana in their homes, and we would have better control 
over that," she said.

Barraza stressed that the commission objected only to the proposed 
site of the dispensary.

"Our only concern is the area where it is proposed, because of the 
issues of traffic and parking," he said. "But what we did is only a 
recommendation. The council has the final decision about the permit. 
If they can prove to the council that that won't be a problem, maybe 
it will be approved there."
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom