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LONGMONT – Boulder County's Land Use Department has tentatively approved plans for what eventually could become a marijuana-growing operation north of Longmont, to the disgust of some neighbors.
Boulder county commissioners have until Aug. 19 to decide if they want a public hearing. If they don't, and if a long list of conditions are met by either applicant Scott Mullner or a future owner of the property, the approval will stand for the 67-acre Szymanski Farm, at 10437 Yellowstone Road.
Mullner can't actually grow marijuana on the land himself – he lives in Wyoming, and state law requires a Colorado owner for a grow operation. But if his plans get final approval, he can buy the land now and then sell it later to someone who wants to grow grass.
"It's much more valuable to me, as an investor, having that guarantee there," he told the Times-Call in July.
Mullner could not be reached for comment Friday.
Lance Messenger, who lives a half-mile west of the farm, started a petition against the application last weekend. So far, he said, the petition is up to four or five pages.
"I haven't run across anyone yet that was for it," he said.
There may be a place for a grow operation, he said, but the Yellowstone Road property isn't it.
"I can't imagine that'll help my property values any," he said. "It's no different than if I opened a liquor store there."
A letter was sent to neighbors Thursday by Summer Howard, a planner with the Boulder County Land Use Department. Neighbors within 1,500 feet of the property may submit comments to the county through Aug 19.
The farm housed Nest Fresh Eggs from 1992 until 2006, when a California company bought the business and closed down operations.
Boulder County passed new regulations in June barring the use of agricultural land for growing marijuana. Mullner and three others had put in applications before then.
Mullner's application asks for the Szymanski Farm's zoning to be changed from "feed lot" to "intensive agricultural" use. His purchase of the land from Cyd and Steve Szymanski is contingent on the land-use change.
According to Howard's letter, there still are several conditions Mullner has to meet even if the county commission doesn't object, including:
The five containment buildings on the property can't be used for residences or retail sales.
A mobile home and camper trailer on the property must be removed.
A weed-control plan must be submitted to the county.
Parking, estimated at 35 spaces, must meet county standards.
A lighting plan must be submitted to the county.
An example of the proposed steel entrance gate must be given to the county. The gate must have at least a 16-foot horizontal and 13.5-foot vertical clearance.
Any additions to the driveway must be at least 12 feet wide and contain at least 4 inches of gravel or pavement.
All state and local requirements for a marijuana-related operation must be met.
All wastewater, fire and sprinkler requirements must be met.
NewsHawk: MedicalNeed: 420 MAGAZINE
Source:timescall.com
Author: Scott Rochat
Contact: The Longmont Times-Call
Copyright:2010 Longmont Times-Call
Website:The Longmont Times-Call
Boulder county commissioners have until Aug. 19 to decide if they want a public hearing. If they don't, and if a long list of conditions are met by either applicant Scott Mullner or a future owner of the property, the approval will stand for the 67-acre Szymanski Farm, at 10437 Yellowstone Road.
Mullner can't actually grow marijuana on the land himself – he lives in Wyoming, and state law requires a Colorado owner for a grow operation. But if his plans get final approval, he can buy the land now and then sell it later to someone who wants to grow grass.
"It's much more valuable to me, as an investor, having that guarantee there," he told the Times-Call in July.
Mullner could not be reached for comment Friday.
Lance Messenger, who lives a half-mile west of the farm, started a petition against the application last weekend. So far, he said, the petition is up to four or five pages.
"I haven't run across anyone yet that was for it," he said.
There may be a place for a grow operation, he said, but the Yellowstone Road property isn't it.
"I can't imagine that'll help my property values any," he said. "It's no different than if I opened a liquor store there."
A letter was sent to neighbors Thursday by Summer Howard, a planner with the Boulder County Land Use Department. Neighbors within 1,500 feet of the property may submit comments to the county through Aug 19.
The farm housed Nest Fresh Eggs from 1992 until 2006, when a California company bought the business and closed down operations.
Boulder County passed new regulations in June barring the use of agricultural land for growing marijuana. Mullner and three others had put in applications before then.
Mullner's application asks for the Szymanski Farm's zoning to be changed from "feed lot" to "intensive agricultural" use. His purchase of the land from Cyd and Steve Szymanski is contingent on the land-use change.
According to Howard's letter, there still are several conditions Mullner has to meet even if the county commission doesn't object, including:
The five containment buildings on the property can't be used for residences or retail sales.
A mobile home and camper trailer on the property must be removed.
A weed-control plan must be submitted to the county.
Parking, estimated at 35 spaces, must meet county standards.
A lighting plan must be submitted to the county.
An example of the proposed steel entrance gate must be given to the county. The gate must have at least a 16-foot horizontal and 13.5-foot vertical clearance.
Any additions to the driveway must be at least 12 feet wide and contain at least 4 inches of gravel or pavement.
All state and local requirements for a marijuana-related operation must be met.
All wastewater, fire and sprinkler requirements must be met.
NewsHawk: MedicalNeed: 420 MAGAZINE
Source:timescall.com
Author: Scott Rochat
Contact: The Longmont Times-Call
Copyright:2010 Longmont Times-Call
Website:The Longmont Times-Call
