Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Cannabis Permits topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Bellflower council awards one dispensary permit to Off the Charts after contested hearing
Summary
After a reopened public hearing with dozens of speakers, the Bellflower City Council voted to issue a cannabis business permit to OTC Bellflower LLC (Off the Charts), adopting Resolution 26-26. Council discussed whether to expedite awarding a second available permit and directed staff to return with options.
The Bellflower City Council on July 13 voted to grant a cannabis business permit to OTC Bellflower LLC, dba Off the Charts, after a reopened public hearing that drew supporters and opponents.
City planning staff reviewed two complete applications — Herb’s Diner (9535 Artesia) and Off the Charts (8846 Alondra) — and recommended awarding a single permit to OTC based on submitted bid guarantees and completed background checks. Several council members emphasized the city’s annual renewal and active monitoring to ensure compliance.
Off the Charts’ chief legal officer, Sean Maddox, apologized for the company’s absence at the prior hearing and outlined the business as family-run and experienced. Norman Joseph, who identified himself as CEO of Off the Charts, described the company’s multi‑state operations and said the firm could open within five to six months if approved. David Thacker, representing Herb’s Diner, said his team was ready to operate the existing built-out Artesia location and asked the council to consider long-term community partnership.
Public comments ranged from residents worried about neighborhood impacts near the Alondra site to vendors and industry participants urging approval of OTC for jobs and community engagement. One resident asked whether the city had reached the cap of four dispensary permits; staff confirmed the city’s ordinance limits dispensaries to four permits total.
Mayor Pro Tem Sanchez moved, and the council adopted Resolution 26-26 by roll call, approving OTC’s permit. Council discussion also covered whether to temporarily suspend the city’s standard application process to allow staff to return with a separate resolution so the council could consider issuing the remaining available permit more quickly; staff will return with recommended language.
The council’s approval was procedural and does not change the city’s annual review requirement: licensees must appear each December for renewal and can lose their permit for noncompliance. The city will post the formal resolution and next steps in the permitting process on its website.
