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Applicant says 625 North Ave was built for cannabis use; operator reports clean Michigan record
Summary
Broker David Elwood told the commission the property at 625 North Ave was constructed for cannabis use in 2021, retains state-approved security systems, and that the prospective operator has had "0 claims, 0 filings, and 0 complaints" in Michigan; the commission requested more neighborhood input before a final decision.
David Elwood, the broker representing both buyer and seller, told the Planning Commission the building at 625 North Ave was built in 2021 “specifically for cannabis” and still contains state-approved security systems and cameras.
Elwood said the prospective operator is a family-run business that hires and manages locally and has operated in other Michigan cities. “They have had 0 claims, 0 filings, and 0 complaints against their licensing in the state of Michigan since they've been in operation,” he told commissioners, adding the operator expects to employ about 20–25 people at the site compared with roughly 10 under the prior tenant. He also said prior weekly customer counts for the earlier operator were about 500.
Elwood noted the prior operator’s license expired in June 2026 and the buyer filed to transfer while that license was active; he warned that a postponement could affect contractual obligations between buyer and seller. Planning staff told the commission the application met the T3 zoning and buffering requirements and recommended approval, but commissioners asked for more details on branding and neighborhood sentiment before acting.
