Opposition to a nearby medical marijuana dispensary application by Larry Stansbury of Linden Street Christian Church spurred a discussion over the ideal number of dispensaries in Sapulpa at Tuesday evening’s Planning Commission meeting.
Applicant Salvador Avila of Broken Arrow requested a Specific Use Permit to open Purple Moon dispensary at 821 East Dewey Avenue, in the middle space of the unoccupied brick building just east of Senor Pablo’s Mexican Restaurant and west of Guts Church, on the northwest corner of Linden and Dewey. Avila cited increased sales tax revenues and the elimination of a vacant commercial space as potential benefits to the City.
Stansbury questioned “how many [dispensaries Sapulpa] needs to have” and said that there “ought to be a limit” and that he’s “just not sure how many we need.” He said he’s “not against” legal medical marijuana establishments, but that he and the Church are “worried about the perception” of the City due to the amount of dispensaries here.
Acting Chair Hunter Edwards acknowledged that “the end of [medical marijuana] prohibition [in Oklahoma] created a bit of a boom,” but advised Stasbury that the Planning Commission does not have the authority to limit dispensaries. “We can put [your comments] on the record, but we can’t deny an application because of them…We have to stay within specific guidelines.”
Commissioner Julie Longoria queried whether or not the City Council could decide to “put a cap” on the number of dispensaries within City Limits, and Urban Development Director Nikki Howard answered that, while it could try, she doesn’t “anticipate that,” as “any other town that has tried that has been” unsuccessful. She said that OMMA (the Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority) “is very clear on [its disallowance of] restrictive zoning.”
(Oklahoma House Bill 3061, passed in November of 2020, states that “No county, city or local municipality may unduly change or restrict zoning laws to prevent the opening of a retail marijuana establishment.”)
Stansbury was thanked for sharing the Church’s stance on the issue, but his statements were ultimately deemed insufficient to warrant a denial by the SPC, and Avila’s application was approved.
An application to allow medical marijuana processing for the assembly of pre-rolled marijuana cigarettes at Michael McSweeney’s dispensary in the former dog grooming space just east of Torchy’s Bar on Dewey was approved. The dispensary application itself was approved by City Council in June.
The owner of the pawn shop to the east of the subject property had concerns about whether or not the business would have adequate parking. McSweeney explained that he is working with the City to make improvements to the property, particularly to the parking lot to the south, and Howard confirmed that a Certificate of Occupancy would not be issued until said improvements are complete and have been inspected by City staff. This appeased the neighbor and she withdrew her opposition.
Howard emphasized that no other types of processing at this location are being requested or will be allowed; this is simply a service the applicant would like to add to his retail business.
An application by IM Sapulpa, LLC/Daniel Regan to operate a medical marijuana grow and processing facility in a heavy industrial zone at a vacant property on South 57th West Avenue, just east of Highway 66 and south of Mark Allen Buick GMC, had no opposition and was recommended for approval.
All three applications will be heard for final approval by the City Council at its regular meeting on Monday, October 4th at City Hall at 7 p.m.
