At their Wednesday meeting, which begins at 4 p.m. in the community center, Carson City planning commissioners will have the chance to weigh in on a controversial marijuana dispensary – and potential restaurant – proposed for the south end of town. The applicant, Las Vegas-based Qualcan, is requesting a special use permit for a 7,978-square-foot building to house a marijuana retail store and vacant space for a potential restaurant. The project is located at 5100 S. Carson St., on property zoned general commercial. A drive-through is proposed for the dispensary. Renderings from Vedelago Petsch Architects show the building with signs saying “Jade.” “The contemporary aesthetic will provide a higher level of design appeal than most commercial retail projects and this aspect of the project should be taken under consideration when the project is being reviewed,” Todd Vedelago wrote in an application letter dated May 25. The request comes on the heels of a new ordinance that was proposed by Qualcan and approved by the Board of Supervisors on Sept. 15. The ordinance changed the number of retail marijuana dispensaries allowed in Carson City from two to four in accordance with state law. Supervisors initially limited the number to two retail outlets within Carson City after state legalization of recreational marijuana in 2016. Public readings for the ordinance created often contentious hearings as many residents opposed the expansion of stores. Existing marijuana retailers also voiced concerns about a lack of demand for more dispensaries, while Qualcan pointed to a potential monopoly as a reason for more choices. Resident Jeannie White, whose residential property on West Bennett Avenue abuts the project, testified several times on the impacts it would have on her quality of life. “This was supposed to be a gateway property, and I expected them to put something nice for the city,” she said in a previous interview.
A map from the city planning division shows the location of the proposed dispensary near the intersection of highways 50 and 395.
City planners have attached 26 conditions of approval to the project, including demolition of existing structures on the site, contribution to a new traffic signal at South Carson Street and Appion Way, an all-way stop intersection at Cochise Street and West Appion Way, as well as prohibition of on-site marijuana consumption and a surveillance system for the drive-through. The planning commission is authorized to approve a special use permit. In other action, planning commissioners will: • Consider a request for a tentative subdivision map that would create 41 single-family residential lots on an 8.41-acre parcel zoned single family 12,000 (minimum parcel size in square footage) and located at 1051 N. Ormsby Blvd. The applicant, John Krmpotic, is concurrently applying for a zoning map amendment to change the zoning from single family 12,000 to single family 6,000. The project is known as Ash Canyon SF. The planning commission will make a recommendation to the Board of Supervisors. • Consider a request from Andersen-Colard Ranch Enterprises for a tentative subdivision map that would create 61 single-family residential lots and a 50.33-acre remainder parcel with an existing residence on an approximately 80.53-acre site zoned single family 1 acre (minimum lot size) and single family 12,000. The site, known as Andersen Ranch West, is located west of Ormsby Boulevard and north of Kings Canyon Road. According to the staff summary, the 61 lots will have a minimum size of approximately 14,380 square feet. There will be 3.82 acres of common open space, and the larger remaining parcel with the existing residence. • Hear a proposed ordinance from applicant Sarah Martin that would amend city code to change the definition of a hotel from a building containing six or more guest rooms to a building containing three or more guest rooms. “The intent of the proposed amendment is to allow smaller, boutique hotels and inns so as to diversify the lodging options for visitors to Carson City,” Community Development Director Hope Sullivan wrote in the staff report. Video of planning commission meetings can be found at https://www.carson.org/government/city-meetings.
A map from the city planning division shows the location of the proposed dispensary near the intersection of highways 50 and 395.