Grove City planning commission votes down recommendation for Stringtown Road marijuana dispensary

The Grove City Planning Commission voted unanimously against recommending approval of a special‑use permit for a proposed Ohio Cannabis Company retail dispensary at 1947 Stringtown Road, following staff findings that the application conflicts with local code and testimony from the city’s public safety director about traffic and neighborhood impacts.

Planning staff told the commission the applicant seeks to operate from an initial footprint of about 2,900 square feet within an existing 10,701‑square‑foot building, with proposed hours listed in application materials as 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday‑Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. Staff noted Grove City code restricts dispensary hours to between 7 a.m. and 9 p.m., but observed state rules could allow operations until 11 p.m. The staff report said the proposed location does not meet the city’s 500‑foot residential buffer (two nearby multifamily developments are within 500 feet) and that the applicant is proposing a drive‑through, which Grove City code prohibits for this use. Staff recommended that the commission recommend disapproval to City Council.

“Last summer, I worked very closely with the development department and our law director to establish meaningful and fair regulations,” Kevin Tiefer, Grove City public safety director, told the commission, urging members to preserve the safeguards enacted by City Council in ordinance C‑32‑24. “By keeping these safeguards in place, we ensure that cannabis businesses can operate successfully while still prioritizing the well‑being of our residents and our visitors.”

Applicant Brian Wingfield, identified as one of the owners of Ohio Cannabis Company, said the firm is locally owned and argued the drive‑through is needed to assist patients with limited mobility. “The drive thru would be very beneficial for them,” Wingfield said, adding the company expects between 200 and 300 vehicle visits daily and that finding a location outside the 500‑foot buffer is difficult in Grove City.

Staff also noted the application requests variances previously sought for the same site: city records referenced ordinance C‑60‑24, which staff said was approved by council but vetoed by the mayor under Section 2.10 of the Grove City Charter; staff added a prior variance for a drive‑through at this site was denied by City Council by a 1–5 vote. The development report cited other code requirements that would need to be addressed if the use were approved, including compliance with Chapter 11.36 (landscaping) and Chapter 11.45 (signage) and bringing the site into conformance when a change of use occurs.

A motion to recommend approval of the special‑use permit was made and seconded. In the roll call, Chair Oster, Commissioner Farnsworth, Commissioner Titus, Commissioner Roach and Commissioner Wemlinger all voted no, producing a 0–5 recommendation vote against approval. Planning staff clarified the application will still proceed to City Council for final consideration.

The commission’s action leaves outstanding variances for Council to consider, including the 500‑foot residential buffer and the requested drive‑through. Staff’s report and public safety testimony emphasized traffic, pedestrian safety on Stringtown Road, and neighborhood character as the primary reasons supporting the staff recommendation of disapproval.

The item will be taken up by Grove City Council at a future meeting; no council date was specified at the Planning Commission session.