An application for a new medical marijuana dispensary at the old Payless Shoe store at 321 South Main Street was heard at Tuesday evening’s Planning Commission meeting.
During her staff report, Urban Development Director Nikki Howard reported that a few entities voiced their complaints in writing about the proposed operation, however, none appeared to speak at the meeting.
These entities included SeneGence, SeneGence’s MakeSense Foundation (which occupies the Burnett Mansion, across the street from the subject property to the west), and Eagle Point Christian Academy, which is 1,300 feet away, and which also holds sporting events at the First Baptist Church (1,000 feet away) and the Nazarene Church (980 feet away). (Howard also noted that Bartlett Academy is 1,200 feet away.)
The MakeSense Foundation mentioned in their communication with the SPC and Planning Department that guests frequently stand on the Burnett Mansion’s balcony to take pictures, and it doesn’t want a “giant, green, ugly sign” in the background to deter repeat and potential visitors from booking events.
Committee Chairman Andrew Probst asked Howard if the proximity of the Post Office, which is just 250 feet from the subject property, has any effect on State laws or City regulations. Howard said no, that the only criteria from the OMMA and the City is “dispensary space from schools,” which must be at least 1,000 apart.
The applicant is therefore in compliance, said Howard, “but it gets tricky because [the Planning Commission is] here for what’s best for the City” as a whole.
Probst, said, in his opinion, the “two main considerations [with this application] are the Burnett Mansion, which represents Sapulpa and is a community icon to outsiders, and SeneGence, which does a lot of nonprofit work for women and children.” Additionally, the nearness to churches is a concern.
But, he acknowledged, he had to question if the Planning Commission could legally base its decision on those factors, and concluded that, “It’s hard to use the proximity [to churches as a reason for denial] when there are other dispensaries in close proximity to churches.”
Three representatives spoke for applicant Chris Littares at the meeting, including his attorney, builder, and store manager, as he is an active member of the military and is currently stationed in Iraq.
Josh Friesenhahn, owner of Tulsa design and construction firm TruNovus, said that Littares hired his company “to address the presentation of the building,” and said that they are “willing to accommodate whatever the City deems as acceptable on [the Main Street corridor],” regarding the facade, signage, and other aesthetic considerations.
Probst confirmed that “the facade is the main concern” and that City Council will “definitely want to see something [such as detailed design renderings] that would encourage it that this would be a mass improvement” upon the current dilapidated and vacant building.
The application was unanimously approved for recommendation to the City Council on the contingency that the property and signage adhere to the standards promised by the applicant.
An application to rezone a one-acre, triangular piece of vacant land on the southeast corner of 81st Street and Highway 66 from residential to industrial was heard.
Owner Spirit Realty, LP was represented by local attorney Sam Allen, who explained that this property is wedged between two industrial areas—SageBrush (and the railroad, Highway 66, and the Turner Turnpike) to the west, and another SageBrush facility to the east.
Howard added that the subject property is designated industrial on the current comprehensive plan.
Allen said that his client has “no immediate plans [for the land]; they just want to conform [with City regulations].
Brian Braudrick, a neighbor to the southeast, spoke extensively to the SPC about multiple complaints he and other neighbors have with SageBrush, primarily noise-related.
Both Probst and Allen reminded Braudrick that the SPC handles land use and zoning matters and that he would need to pursue other venues to address his complaints.
The application was unanimously recommended for approval by the SPC.
Both applications will be heard by the City Council at its next regular meeting on Tuesday, September 7th at 7 p.m. at City Hall.
Featured image: Loopnet.com
