Adelanto commission approves cannabis cultivation and processing complex after mitigated negative declaration

The Adelanto Parks and Recreation Commission on Dec. 18 approved a mitigated negative declaration and permits for a proposed cannabis cultivation, processing and nursery facility on a 9.48‑acre parcel at the southwest corner of Raccoon and Rancho, voting 5–0 to adopt Resolution P‑24‑13 and approve Conditional Use Permit 23‑10 and Location & Development Permit 23‑12.

City planner Chris Espinosa told the commission the project would consist of two single‑story cultivation buildings and one two‑story processing building, and that staff prepared a mitigated negative declaration under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) (SCH 2024010988) which was circulated for public review from Nov. 14 to Dec. 14, 2024. Espinosa said agency comments were received, a response to comments was attached to the MND, and mitigation measures would reduce potential environmental effects to less‑than‑significant levels.

The commission and staff discussed basic site details and dimensions. Espinosa confirmed the single‑story structures would have a 27‑foot roof height; Chair Wagner and other commissioners emphasized setbacks from the nearby Southern California Edison transmission easement, which staff said Southern California Edison addressed with conditions of approval to maintain clearance and safety. In moving the recommendation, Chair Wagner read a motion that included the MND SCH number and the permit approvals; Commissioner Garcia seconded the motion and the vote was recorded as unanimous.

Public commenters urged local hiring and safety measures. Julio Velasco, identifying himself as an apprentice carpenter with the Southwest Carpenters Union, said approving projects locally would help members who travel for work and urged the city to prioritize local economic benefits: "Why not let these kids come out of high school and have a place to work and start their career?" a commenter said. A special representative for the Western States Carpenters Union asked the developer to commit to using a skilled, trained workforce and urged the commission to consider delaying approval until such commitments or community‑benefit terms were secured; the record shows the commission approved the project without a formal local‑hire condition.

Cheryl Montanez of Moore Design Solutions, representing the applicant, was present to answer questions and said the applicant had coordinated with Southern California Edison and provided a study indicating negligible risk from the nearby lines. Staff recommended approval based on findings and conditions of approval.

The approved project description read into the record by the chair lists two 34,425‑square‑foot single‑story buildings for cultivation and nursery use and one 17,799‑square‑foot two‑story building for processing and manufacturing on the 9.48‑acre lot in the city’s manufacturing‑industrial zoning district. The motion adopted the mitigated negative declaration (SCH 2024010988) and approvals subject to the listed conditions.

The commission also continued two other planning items: a conditional use permit and a general plan amendment were both continued to later dates, one to Jan. 15, 2025, and the other to an unspecified date to be set by staff. The meeting adjourned after brief additional public comments about park lighting and safety, and staff announced City Hall holiday closures from Dec. 23, 2024, through Jan. 6, 2025.