Oakridge – The city has struggled for decades to attract new manufacturing to replace its long-gone wood-products mills. But a marijuana production facility is not what some residents had in mind.
A public hearing before the Oakridge City Council will be held Thursday evening on an appeal from a Colorado man whose request for a conditional use permit to build a marijuana production facility was denied by the Planning Commission.
The planning panel did not give a reason for its Oct. 18 refusal. The motion to approve the facility tied 2-2 and, -therefore, failed. Unsure why the planning panel denied his request, Ryan Johnson -appealed the decision.
The council can override the panels vote.
Johnson wants to build a 10,000-square-foot steel-frame building on a 2.73-acre vacant parcel just off Highway 58, east of the once–popular and now-closed Sportsman Caf. The land is zoned light -industrial. The business would grow and dry marijuana, and would -employ nine workers to start, Johnson has said.
Oakridge residents have been split over the proposal, with some saying it could bring jobs to the economically depressed area, and one -resident saying it would -reflect negatively on the city.
City staff members have said Johnsons plan complies with the citys zoning and development rules and have recommended the council overturn the Planning Commission denial.
Johnson, based in Colorado Springs, Colo., said he provides consulting services for marijuana growers on how to control pests and mold without pesticides. He has a licensed commercial pot growing facility in Colorado – where recreational marijuana also is legal – and said he is applying to start marijuana manufacturing facilities in Florida and Arkansas.
He said he will attend Thursdays hearing and explain his proposed business. It shouldnt have gone to this point, Johnson said. (The Planning Commission) voted based on personal differences on the marijuana issue and not what they were supposed to be voting on, which was Does this application meet the guidelines for a conditional use permit?
Johnson said the facility would bring property tax revenues to Oakridge. The marijuana primarily would be shipped to larger cities, such as -Eugene, -Salem and Portland, he said.
Johnson, who is being represented by Veneta firm Goebel Engineering & Surveying Inc., stated in his appeal that the Planning Commission, in making a decision, is supposed to refer to the land use criteria on which it bases its decision.
At a public hearing before the Planning Commission, Scott Goebel, of the engineering firm, said residents need not worry about the facility emitting pot odors. He said Johnson would use a filtration system in every room of the business. Mature pot plants typically emit a strong odor, which has sparked complaints in some communities where growing is legal.
At the Planning Commission hearing, one Oakridge resident asserted that the business would be lawful, and Johnson should be given a chance. However, another resident said the facility would -deter people from moving to the community.
The 2.73-acre parcel is owned by Oakridge -residents John and Vera Weddle.
In their October -decision, Planning Commissioners Jackie Taylor and Stan Barenboim voted in favor of the pot grow, and Commissioners Donald Reesman and Lynne Ofsthun voted against.
Under Oregons recreational pot legalization law, some communities can vote to ban all pot facilities, including manufacturing. However, Oakridge is not among them, because a majority of Oakridge residents in 2014 voted in favor of statewide legalization. The vote in Oakridge was 578-493. Only communities in which a majority of voters in 2014 opposed legal pot can impose local bans, as Junction City, Creswell and Coburg did this past Nov. 8.
News Moderator: Katelyn Baker
Full Article: Colorado Man’s Proposed Pot-Growing Facility Divides Oakridge Residents
Author: Lillian Schrock
Contact: The Register-Guard
Photo Credit: Tom Penix
Website: The Register-Guard
