A proposal for an indoor marijuana grow in Ashland's Historic Railroad District is now off the table after the building’s owner decided to withdraw that part of his application.
Jorge Yant, CEO of medical software company Plexis and owner of the building at 181 A St., said in a letter to the Ashland Daily Tidings (A17) that he has withdrawn the application for a marijuana grow but will keep pursuing a cannabis store at the site.
Ashland Planning Commission members, who had requested more information from Yant on how the grow site would impact the community and city, also received a letter this month notifying them of the withdrawal.
“We listened to the community and heard concerns about the marijuana cultivation space, so we are withdrawing our application for the grow space to study the issue further,” Yant wrote.
The application initially sought to turn 6,000 square feet of the former Plexis building into a marijuana grow and retail store — the first of its kind in Ashland. Now it will proceed with seeking permits to operate as the fifth marijuana seller in Ashland.
The application, filed in November, drew concerns regarding traffic, potential chemicals in wastewater, and a conflict between state regulations and municipal code regarding visibility through windows, city staff said.
Project planning consultant Jay Harland told the commission at a December meeting that Yant would submit new reports addressing the issues.
Planning commissioners raised further questions about the logistics of a growing production — its water and energy use, utility needs, a control plan to prevent air pollution and the effect of agricultural discharge in the sewer system.
The commission unanimously agreed the proposal was too vague and that without more information on the utility needs, approving such a project could go against the city’s vision.
The application also didn’t sit well with some Ashland residents. More than 30 written comments in opposition were submitted to the planning department with concerns about air quality, emissions, traffic, safety, health issues and the “negative effect on livability, tourism and housing values.”
Residents who spoke before the commission said letting an indoor production tap into the city’s electrical and water resources could have a negative impact on surrounding businesses and residences.
Yant, who couldn't be reached for further comment, said in his letter the proposal will move forward with an application only for a marijuana store, which would be called Plexis Healing and Thriving Arts Center.
The store, besides selling marijuana products, also would offer a wide range of other services, including herbal apothecary, a boutique that sells hemp products, and a market with food and beverages.
“Future plans also include a venue for music and performing arts as well as a venue for guest speakers and an educational forum on all aspects of hemp,” he wrote.
Yant further pledged to donate some of the products to veterans, seniors and those “who have limited means."
A Planning Commission meeting on Jan. 23, scheduled to further discuss the application, has been canceled upon Yant’s request, city Planning Manager Maria Harris said.
Harris declined to say whether the withdrawal of the application for the grow site will help resolve some of the concerns raised by staff and commissioners in December.
“The meeting has been moved to February,” she said. “We don’t have any available information right now until a staff report is done.”
The Planning Commission will meet at 7 p.m. Feb. 13 in the Council Chambers, 1775 E. Main St.
— Reach reporter Tran Nguyen at tnguyen@rosebudmedia.com or 541-776-4485. Follow her on twitter @nguyenntrann.
