Planning commission approves special-use permit for marijuana retailer near Bowie

The Cochise County Planning and Zoning Commission unanimously approved a special-use authorization for a retail marijuana establishment proposed by Green Reason LLC at 1134 West Business Loop, near Exit 362 west of Bowie. The commission voted 9-0 to approve docket SU 25-05 after staff recommended approval with conditions.

Staff presented the application as a request to allow retail sales of marijuana and marijuana products on an approximately 4-acre parcel (APN 30215001H) currently zoned RU-4. Planning staff told the commission that the proposed use would be retail only—no cultivation, infusion or testing on site—and that state licensing is administered by the Arizona Department of Health Services. The zoning regulations cited by staff require marijuana retail uses to operate within a permanent building, maintain a minimum 1,000-foot separation from other marijuana-related and certain “sensitive” uses (libraries, schools, child-care facilities, churches or youth facilities), and be at least 300 feet from any existing residence; staff noted a nearby property formerly zoned RU-4 has been rezoned to GB and thus the 300-foot residence rule would not apply to that parcel under…