Katelyn Baker
Well-Known Member
On a divided vote, the Columbia County Planning Commission this week endorsed a proposal to build a large indoor marijuana grow operation even though it would be located across the street from the Rainier Junior/Senior High School campus.
The commission conducted a public hearing after receiving an application for a marijuana operating permit from RAD Nursery Products, LLC. The permit would allow the growth and production of marijuana in existing facilities located on an 83-acre parcel near the Rainier High School athletic fields and Hudson Parcher County Park.
Planning Commissioners Paula Lichatowich and Rod Lloyd voted against the operating permit, while commissioners Linda Hooper, Claudia Frace, Bill DeJager and Alta Lynch voted in favor. The recommendation now goes to the Columbia County commissioners for an up or down vote.
According to Glen Higgins, the county's planning and flood manager, notice of the application was sent to surrounding property owners and agencies including Rainier High School, which is across the street from the proposed grow business.
Opposition focused on the grow facility itself, a 23,900-square-foot existing building that would grow pot for medical and recreational purposes.
"I am a parent of two children that attend Rainier school, and am outraged that this operation may be opening so close to our school," citizen Tara Sorensen wrote in a letter to The Clatskanie Chief. "I'm worried about increases in crime, smells coming from the operation, increases in mold, decreases in student enrollment as well as the message that this is sending to our kids."
Rainier superintendent Michael Carter also voiced reservations about the building's proximity to Rainier Junior/Senior High School, which is only 1,000 to 1,500 feet away from the proposed grow operation.
Columbia requires any marijuana dispensary to be at least 1,000 feet away from a school or any public area where children congregate. This ordinance does not apply to operations that focus solely on growing, like RAD Nursery Products, LLC. The building is also directly across the street from Hudson Parcher County Park, where students often go to play after school.
Normally the application would go through an approval process by the planning director, according to Higgins. When surrounding agencies were notified, the school district responded, asking the commission to review the application and vote on its approval.
In response to the business's negative reception, owner Raj Punjabi has assured the school and community members that they would be a good community partner. According to minutes from a May 16 Rainier school district board meeting agenda, Punjabi made an appearance to assure attendees that his facility would be "a safe facility with guards and fences."
News Moderator: Katelyn Baker 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Rainier Marijuana Growth Operation Gets Green Light
Author: Madelyn Reese
Contact: 360-577-2500
Photo Credit: Chris Roussakis
Website: The Daily News
The commission conducted a public hearing after receiving an application for a marijuana operating permit from RAD Nursery Products, LLC. The permit would allow the growth and production of marijuana in existing facilities located on an 83-acre parcel near the Rainier High School athletic fields and Hudson Parcher County Park.
Planning Commissioners Paula Lichatowich and Rod Lloyd voted against the operating permit, while commissioners Linda Hooper, Claudia Frace, Bill DeJager and Alta Lynch voted in favor. The recommendation now goes to the Columbia County commissioners for an up or down vote.
According to Glen Higgins, the county's planning and flood manager, notice of the application was sent to surrounding property owners and agencies including Rainier High School, which is across the street from the proposed grow business.
Opposition focused on the grow facility itself, a 23,900-square-foot existing building that would grow pot for medical and recreational purposes.
"I am a parent of two children that attend Rainier school, and am outraged that this operation may be opening so close to our school," citizen Tara Sorensen wrote in a letter to The Clatskanie Chief. "I'm worried about increases in crime, smells coming from the operation, increases in mold, decreases in student enrollment as well as the message that this is sending to our kids."
Rainier superintendent Michael Carter also voiced reservations about the building's proximity to Rainier Junior/Senior High School, which is only 1,000 to 1,500 feet away from the proposed grow operation.
Columbia requires any marijuana dispensary to be at least 1,000 feet away from a school or any public area where children congregate. This ordinance does not apply to operations that focus solely on growing, like RAD Nursery Products, LLC. The building is also directly across the street from Hudson Parcher County Park, where students often go to play after school.
Normally the application would go through an approval process by the planning director, according to Higgins. When surrounding agencies were notified, the school district responded, asking the commission to review the application and vote on its approval.
In response to the business's negative reception, owner Raj Punjabi has assured the school and community members that they would be a good community partner. According to minutes from a May 16 Rainier school district board meeting agenda, Punjabi made an appearance to assure attendees that his facility would be "a safe facility with guards and fences."
News Moderator: Katelyn Baker 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Rainier Marijuana Growth Operation Gets Green Light
Author: Madelyn Reese
Contact: 360-577-2500
Photo Credit: Chris Roussakis
Website: The Daily News
