Covina council clears two cannabis applicants to proceed in permitting; vote 3–1 (one recusal)

The Covina City Council on Feb. 18 authorized two remaining cannabis applicants to proceed to the next phase of the city’s commercial cannabis permitting process, voting 3–1 with one council member not participating due to recusal.

Councilmembers selected Rolano Covina and Zen Gardens to receive council direction to move forward into the pre-application and entitlement phase. Staff clarified that the city previously issued a separate notice to proceed in December to Stevie Covina; the current action advances up to two additional applicants. Selected applicants will have 60 days to file a formal pre-application, pay entitlement fees and begin the conditional use permit/site plan review process. If an awarded applicant fails to meet the 60-day requirement, staff will return to council for direction on next steps.

Why it matters: Covina’s municipal code limits the city to a maximum of three local cannabis retail permits; the council’s selections determine which applicants may continue through the permitting and development-agreement process. Selected applicants will still be subject to land-use review, development agreements adopted by ordinance (requiring first and second readings), and other conditions prior to opening.

Council debate and votes: The conversation at the dais recognized the lengthy RFP process and staff’s administrative work. Councilmember Cortez moved to award notices to proceed to Rolano Covina and Zen Gardens; Councilmember Delgado seconded. A roll-call vote recorded: Delgado — Yes; Cortez — Yes; Allen — No; Mayor Pro Tem Leonares — Aye; Mayor King — Aye. The motion passed 3–1 with one council member (Mr. Marcarlo) recused earlier in the meeting from this item.

Public comments: The council heard extensive public testimony for and against retail cannabis. Supporters who spoke in favor of particular applicants (notably Embark) included local labor and community leaders (Mark Ramos of UFCW Local 1428; business owners and community advocates) who emphasized community benefits, worker protections and geographic distribution. Opposition speakers raised concerns about public safety, youth exposure and neighborhood impacts. Staff and councilmembers reiterated that community benefit commitments included in applications would be refined and administered in partnership with the council if a license is awarded; most applicants committed a portion of gross receipts to community benefit programs and some proposed pre-established local advisory boards.

Next steps: Selected applicants will be granted the notice to proceed and must advance their entitlement applications and development agreements. Development agreements must be adopted by ordinance and will return to the planning commission and council for public hearings. If an applicant fails to proceed in the allotted 60 days, the council may choose to select a different applicant from the remaining pool, restart the process or leave the number of permits unchanged.