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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."