Residents urge council to reject proposed marijuana dispensary near Centennial Drive

Dozens of Washington residents urged the City Council on April 6 to oppose a proposed adult-use marijuana dispensary planned near Centennial Drive, telling the council the business would harm neighborhood safety, normalize drug use for children and lower property values.

Speakers who identified themselves as neighbors, parents, teachers and a student described the proposed site as close to family homes and school bus stops. "I come on behalf of the majority of this community that opposes this marijuana adult-only business," said Tanya Perez, who said she represents neighbors from the Centennial Hills subdivision. Teacher Megan Faselle told the council, "Is legal does not make it right for Washington," adding that increased access would worsen an existing drug problem at the local high school.

Several speakers cited specific practical concerns: increased vehicle and pedestrian traffic, impaired driving risk, public odors from storefronts, loitering and the administrative and enforcement costs small police departments might face. Fourteen-year-old McKinley Piselli told the council he has already heard stories of drug use in middle school and asked officials to consider students' futures: "I don't want my career as a high-schooler to be about drugs." Mike Clark, a Ward 3 resident, criticized the planning-and-zoning board's earlier vote on the application, saying it occurred "without vigorous discussion and debate with town residents." He urged council members to halt or reconsider the approval path.

Council members acknowledged the many comments and encouraged continued contact. Mayor Liliya Stevens and other alderpersons reminded residents of the city's public information channels and invited further input. No final decision or council vote on the dispensary was recorded at the April 6 meeting; commenters said the matter will move through planning and zoning processes and to future council consideration.

Why it matters: The proposed dispensary would be in a compact town where commercial sites are adjacent to homes and schools, speakers said. Residents framed the issue as a choice about the town's long-term character and whether modest tax revenue is worth potential quality-of-life trade-offs. The council repeatedly invited residents to submit written comments and attend upcoming hearings.

What happens next: Council members said they want to hear from more residents, and some urged organizers to provide written feedback to the council. Because the transcript records public comment and references a prior planning-and-zoning vote but does not include a council decision on the dispensary, any formal action will appear in future agenda items and minutes.