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Planning Commission approves Dixon Wellness permit amendment allowing 48‑inch pony wall instead of ballistic glass
Summary
The Dixon City Planning Commission voted 4–1 on Sept. 10 to amend Dixon Wellness’s conditional use permit, removing a bulletproof‑glass requirement and allowing a 48‑inch pony wall and related security upgrades as an acceptable alternative, with an appeal period to the city council.
The Dixon City Planning Commission on Sept. 10 conditionally approved an amendment to Dixon Wellness’s conditional use permit that removes a mandate for bulletproof glass at the reception station and allows a 48‑inch “pony wall” and associated measures in its place.
Associate Planner Scott Greeley told commissioners staff found Condition 31B — the requirement for ballistic glass — had not been implemented after the 2017 approval. A police inspection in October 2023 identified the noncompliance and prompted negotiations between the city and the applicant. Greeley recommended the commission adopt the resolution approving PA‑24‑20 / UP‑24‑05 subject to revised conditions, including submission of any future plan changes to the State Department of Cannabis and notice to the city. "Staff is in support of this application based on police support," Greeley said during the presentation.
Police Chief Robert Thompson, joining the meeting by Zoom, described the pony wall as a delaying strategy rather than ballistic protection: "The pony wall creates a natural delay...that allows staff in the interior of the building time to react to a threat," he said, adding the department would accept the compromise because the applicant has been cooperative. Applicant Haley Andrew, owner‑operator of Dixon Wellness, told the commission the proposed pony wall would be 48 inches high with a countertop depth of about 32 inches, and described existing and upgraded security on site: locked keyed entry, active man traps in the entry/exit vestibule, upgraded alarms and surveillance, and six panic buttons. Andrew said a full ballistic glass installation had an estimated cost near $100,000 and that the pony wall solution would minimize business disruption; she estimated construction might require closing no more than one day.
Commissioner Davis moved to adopt the resolution; Vice Chair Hernandez Covello seconded. The motion passed on a roll call vote, 4 in favor and 1 opposed (Commissioner Cooley), with Commissioners Diaz and Medrano absent. Staff announced the planning commission decision stands unless an appeal is filed to City Council within 10 calendar days (appeals must be filed at City Hall; the deadline was set as Friday, Sept. 20 at 5 p.m.).
