Planning commission denies permit to sell drug paraphernalia, approves sign refacing at 375 S. Weed Blvd.

The Weed City Planning Commission on a voice vote denied a conditional use permit to allow the sale of drug paraphernalia at 375 South Weed Boulevard while approving a separate request to reface the property’s freestanding sign.

During the public hearing, a planning staff member said the site is zoned C-1 and that the city’s special ordinance governing paraphernalia sales imposes occupancy, separation and age restrictions. The staff member told commissioners that “the approval of the sale of drug paraphernalia in this location does not under any circumstances allow the sale of cannabis in any of its forms at this location” and that the conditional use permit is not transferable to a future owner.

Kurt Reichel, who identified himself as representing the applicant, said the business will install a partition to segregate paraphernalia from other retail areas and that the sign will be provided by a local sign vendor. An applicant representative also said items that had been displayed were removed once staff indicated a permit was required.

Commission discussion included concern about the presence of paraphernalia in town. One commissioner said, in effect, “we have enough drugs going already,” and the commission moved to decline the use permit; the motion was seconded and approved by voice vote. The commission subsequently approved the sign-refacing permit by separate motion.

A commissioner asked about the statutory appeal period for the paraphernalia decision; staff said they would follow up and provide the appeal timeframe to the commission.