Modesto cannabis store, located too close to a school, gets approval for a new site
A commercial cannabis business received county approval Tuesday for a retail outlet situated in a small industrial area in Modesto, west of Highway 99.
The Peoples Remedy will operate the retail shop seven days a week in the 1100 block of Lone Palm Avenue, between Woodland and Kansas avenue. Stanislaus County’s board of supervisors unanimously approved the permit.
In December, county supervisors rejected a proposal for the Peoples Remedy outlet to remain at 1350 Lone Palm because it’s next to a church and private school. The owners were allowed to find another location and they chose a site in Emerald Industrial Business Park that’s consistent with the county’s legal cannabis ordinance, county staff said.
Other businesses in the park sell refrigeration and plumbing supplies and include painting, roofing and pool services.
The cannabis store will use 2,400 square feet of an existing building for a reception area, sales room, employee break room and restroom. The outlet will have 11 parking spaces along the north side of the building. Store hours will be 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.
According to a county staff report, the remainder of the building will serve as storage for non-cannabis supplies.
Nearby business owners opposed the permit, saying the cannabis shop will increase traffic and create excess demand for parking. Opponents also said it’s not compatible with the business park’s design.
The business park owner told supervisors at Tuesday’s hearing cannabis sales will disrupt the surrounding business environment and tenants will leave.
Mark Ponticelli, co-owner of Peoples Remedy, said two armed security guards will watch the business 24 hours a day. Supervisor Terry Withrow urged the cannabis merchants, the business park owner and nearby businesses to get together and discuss the issues.
Kristin Olsen, chairwoman of the Board of Supervisors, said the project applicants are not seeking a waiver for any ordinance requirements. It’s difficult to reject cannabis permits that are 100 percent consistent with the zoning rules, she said.
Supervisor Jim DeMartini, an outspoken critic of the cannabis industry, said the Peoples Remedy has to move from 1350 Lone Palm and the new site is an allowable use.
“As much as I don’t like the marijuana business, it looks like this one meets the criteria,” DeMartini said.
