Planning commission approves Elevated Botanics dispensary at Liberty Road site despite community concerns

The Carroll County Planning and Zoning Commission approved a simplified site plan for Elevated Botanics Cannabis Dispensary (county file SF240073) at 25 Liberty Road in Cleese Mill. The commission voted to approve the plan, with four members voting yes and one abstention.

County staff and the applicant told the commission the property is zoned C-2 (Commercial Medium Intensity) and the proposed retail area is 3,540 square feet within one of two existing buildings on the roughly 1-acre parcel. Laura Mathias of the Bureau of Development Review said the project qualified as a simplified site plan because there would be little site disturbance and technical agencies had reviewed and approved the plan.

Commission staff emphasized compliance with the county’s cannabis rules in chapter 1-58 of the Carroll County code and with the development and subdivision regulations in chapter 1-55. Mathias read aloud the code’s distance and lighting requirements and said the zoning administrator had confirmed the plan met those requirements.

Members of the public did not speak during the formal comment period, but the commission heard several written letters and one phone call raising concerns about the site’s proximity to a nearby elementary school, daycare and residential neighborhoods. Commissioner Ralph (last name not specified in the record) spoke at length expressing those community concerns, calling the location “very, very concerning” because of the school and playgrounds nearby.

The zoning administrator reported the code requires structure-to-structure measurements for separation. She told the commission the structure-to-structure separation from the dispensary building to the school building is 1,327 feet; the measurement from the dispensary structure to the school property line is 523 feet; and the structure-to-outdoor-recreation area (basketball court) measured 543 feet. Mathias also reported the parking requirement for the entire site is 32 spaces and 40 spaces exist on the property; no new freestanding signs were proposed.

Applicant Caitlin Spicknell described operational safeguards the dispensary will use, including an ID/qualification screening process at a waiting area before admitting customers to any area where cannabis is present. She added the state requires extensive security measures, including a secure storage room for product, video surveillance with at least 90-day retention, alarm systems and battery backup. Spicknell said the business expects staffing levels “maybe have 5 at a time,” and that state law limits hours to between 8 a.m. and 11 p.m.; exact hours were not yet set.

Several commissioners said they were uncomfortable with the location but that the application met the code and state law. A motion to approve the simplified site plan was made and seconded; a roll call showed four yes votes and one abstention. The record indicates 4 yeas and 1 abstain and lists the outcome as approved.

The commission’s approval allows the applicant to proceed with the county permit process; technical and state inspections and licensing remain required under state and county rules.

Votes and next steps: The commission approved the simplified site plan for Elevated Botanics (SF240073). Staff reminded the commission and the applicants that state licensing and any outstanding technical approvals remain conditions of full operation.