Pinetop Lakeside planners consider larger dispensary size and wider buffers after public safety concerns

The Planning and Zoning Commission debated whether to increase the town's maximum dispensary size and expand distance buffers after residents and business owners raised safety and nuisance concerns.

Staff member Frank opened the discussion by pointing to town code sections under review (town code 17102.1150 C2 and 1714.040 B4) and said the current cap of 2,000 square feet was seen by developers as too small; developers had requested about 3,100 square feet and staff suggested moving the maximum to 4,000 square feet to match averages in other towns. Frank also cited a packet summary stating that, after administrative costs, “31.4% of this tax revenue is specifically dedicated to municipal police, sheriff's departments, [and] fire department.”

Why it matters: Commissioners noted the tradeoff between encouraging reputable, well-regulated operators and protecting parks, youth-oriented facilities and residential neighborhoods. Several speakers said a larger footprint can accommodate required security, separate medical and recreational areas and better operations; public commenters warned that location and proximity matter for vulnerable populations.

Public commenters urged greater distance protections. Derek Hendricks, who identified himself as owner of White Mountain Family Fun Park, said a 500-foot buffer would leave a 200-foot gap that could let a dispensary sit between his family-oriented park and Camp Tatier, which serves disabled children. "If we only adopt a 500 ft buffer, we are leaving the outdoor door wide open for a dispensary to squeeze right in between the middle of our youth corridor," Hendricks said, urging a 750-to-1,000-foot standard for family recreation.

Another commenter, identified in the meeting as Mr. Ferno, said community-specific reviews he'd read linked dispensary openings to increased police calls and emergency-room visits in some jurisdictions, though he acknowledged those studies did not prove causation. Edith Weather Weber opposed allowing larger facilities, described seeing long lines and strong odors at nearby larger dispensaries, and warned that such operations could change the character of town commercial areas.

Commissioners asked for local, factual information before changing the code. Several members suggested inviting a Xolo operator and Xolo law enforcement to present revenue and crime-data experiences; one commissioner offered to contact those parties and another recommended inviting the town's police chief or commander. Staff confirmed the town's code currently meets state minimums and that municipalities may adopt stricter distance requirements but not lower-than-state limits.

Formal actions and next steps: The commission approved two sets of minutes at the start of the meeting (regular minutes from Dec. 11, 2025, and work session minutes from Feb. 12, 2026) by voice vote; the meeting record states both motions carried unanimously (exact roll-call tallies were not specified in the transcript). The commission did not make a policy decision on building size or buffer distances at the meeting but agreed by consensus to schedule a public hearing for April 23 to receive further evidence, statements from Xolo and law enforcement, and public testimony. Staff and commissioners said the April date will allow time to gather reports and meet statutory posting requirements.

What remains unresolved: The commission did not set final numeric buffers or adopt a new maximum square footage; those policy choices will be debated at the public hearing after staff compiles comparative ordinances, law enforcement data and any statements from the Xolo operator. Commissioners also flagged practical concerns such as parking and odor reported near larger facilities elsewhere.

The commission closed the meeting with administrative notes, including an announced clerk transition and a plan to make requested informational materials available in the packet ahead of the April hearing.