Planning Commission tables Greencraft drive-through marijuana permit at 551 Young Avenue

The Muskegon City Planning Commission on March 13 tabled a request from Greencraft LLC for a special use permit to operate a marijuana retail drive-through at 551 Young Avenue, citing unresolved stormwater, site-plan and security issues.

Planning staff told the commission the applicant had discussed the project with the drain commissioner, who provided a letter of support, but that the site still needs an amended stormwater permit and removal or formal approval of on-site storage containers. Staff also flagged a fence and locked gate across a paper street that may require relocation or vacation before the drive-through configuration will work as shown on the plan.

Greencraft owner Adam McCausland said the business has operated a Class C grow at the site since February 2021 and wants to add retail by opening a phased retail operation beginning with a drive-through. “Phase 1 is to simply do a drive through. If it’s successful, then maybe down the road we’ll take a look at the lot next door or even on the same property building more of a traditional storefront,” McCausland said. He described plans for three order booths (two for consultation and one express lane for online orders), in-building storage of all product, a runner who would deliver bagged orders to cars, and a security plan including cameras, ID checks and plate-flagging for repeat problem customers.

Commissioners and staff pressed the applicant on practical and safety details. Commissioner Kim asked how product and cash would be secured and what staff would do if confronted; McCausland said product would remain inside the building, cash would be cleared into a safe when thresholds were reached, and the company would use cameras and license-plate flagging. Staff and commissioners also expressed concern about pedestrians, bike access and whether the drive-through lane would create a liability if pedestrians tried to use the window. Planning staff noted curbside pickup is allowed by ordinance without a special use permit but that a drive-through requires the special-use review; the applicant said he preferred securing drive-through approval now rather than rely on curbside rules later.

Additional site issues raised during the hearing included condition of the on-site stormwater pond and the need to amend the stormwater permit, storage containers that may constitute a violation of current site standards, and a fence that appears to cross a platted (but unpaved) portion of Temple Street. Staff told the commission that the gate over the paper street should not remain and that moving or vacating the right-of-way could be costly for the applicant.

After public comment produced no speakers, a motion to table the special use permit until staff recommendations are met passed on a roll call vote. The commission recorded unanimous support during roll call. The commission asked the applicant to return with a revised site plan that shows pedestrian routing and bike access, a resolution for the storage containers or documentation that they qualify as permanent structures, an updated stormwater permit or engineering agreement, and concrete security measures for staff working outside the building before the item is considered again.

The commission did not deny the request; the vote was to table to allow the outstanding technical issues to be resolved and documented. The applicant and staff indicated they expect to return within roughly one month for reconsideration.