Commission grants variance to Burnin' Barrels cannabis manufacturing facility in Flora Vista

The San Juan County Board of County Commissioners voted to grant a variance to Burnin' Barrels Cannabis, allowing the applicant to operate a cannabis manufacturing (packaging) facility at 870A New Mexico Highway 516 in Flora Vista despite the ordinance’s 300-foot minimum separation from residences.

Miss Wayne of the Community Development Department told commissioners that owner Brian Johnson submitted the variance request March 27, 2025, seeking relief from section 3(a) of Ordinance No. 120. "Burnin' Barrels is seeking a variance from section 3 a of ordinance 1 20 which is the minimum separation distance from a residence," Wayne said during her presentation.

A hearing officer, T. Ryan Lane, held a public hearing on April 30, 2025. According to the staff report and hearing officer findings, two residences are within the 300-foot zone; the occupants did participate in the hearing and operate a short-term vacation rental. The residents expressed concerns about potential odors but did not formally object to the variance. The hearing officer recommended approval, and county staff said the majority of variance criteria were met.

Commissioners moved to adopt the hearing officer’s findings and approve the variance. The motion carried by voice vote; the meeting record shows no roll-call tally.

Staff recommended adopting the hearing officer’s findings and conditions as presented; commissioners accepted that recommendation. The file notes the variance would last the life of the business at that location and that affected residents had raised odor concerns during the hearing.