The March 9 public hearing was continued from the Feb. 16 conditional use permit public hearing to operate a dispensary at 1292 SW Tutuilla Road. Commissioner Maureen McCormmach suggested that the commission continue public comment but limit individual speaking to five minutes. McCormmach further suggested that people who spoke at the Feb. 16 meeting not speak again unless they had new information to offer.
Public comment began with Portland attorney Corinne Celko, speaking on behalf of applicant Bryson Thurman. Celko argued that Thurman has already agreed to go “above and beyond” the requirements of the law to ensure that his business does not appeal to minors or offend the surrounding neighborhood. Three Pendleton residents spoke in support of the business, with two stating that they agreed with the previous speakers.
22 Pendleton residents spoke in opposition to the dispensary, with some saying that they would move if the dispensary was allowed at that address. Many who spoke in opposition stressed that they were not against marijuana commerce, but that they were against marijuana commerce near their homes.
After some deliberation the commission approved Thurman’s conditional use permit. The requirements of the permit include a paved parking lot with eight parking spaces, one bicycle space, a screened dumpster area, a sidewalk linking the neighborhood on SW Nye Ave. to SW Tutuilla Road, a fence no less than six feet in height, a minimum of 320 square feet of landscaping, signage is limited to the name of the business without reference to marijuana, and the hours of operation are limited to 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.