I. RECOMMENDATION:
Approval of a one (1) year extension of Site Plan Review 16-07 for a Commercial Cannabis Facility located at 1921 Mercantile Lane.
II. BACKGROUND:
On February 14, 2017 the Coalinga Planning Commission approved Resolution No. 017P-007 with conditions for a 50,630 square foot commercial cannabis cultivation and manufacturing facility on 2.09 acres.
In accordance with Section 9-6.114 of the Planning and Zoning Code, the Community Development Director may approve a one-year extension of a permit originally granted by the Community Development Director, Planning Commission or City Council, upon receipt of a written application with the required fee, before the permit expires. Since this request came after the expiration date, staff is presenting this to the Planning Commission for consideration.
On February 27, 2018 the Planning Commission approved a (1) year extension to the project the owner is has been focused on developing their site at 1920 Mercantile Lane for a future cannabis manufacturing facility which is directly across the street south of the subject property. Immediately after the opening of 1920 Mercantile, efforts shifted to 1275 W. Elm which placed 1920 Mercantile in line for the next project to begin.
III. PROPOSAL AND ANALYSIS:
Since the approvals in February 2017, the owner is has been focused on developing their site at 1920 Mercantile Lane for a future cannabis manufacturing facility which is directly across the street south of the subject property. The owner is expected to submit building plans the first week of March 2018 for the south project (1920 Mercantile Lane) and once under construction they will begin the development of the 1921 Mercantile Lane property. The expected construction timeframe for 1921 Mercantile is fourth quarter 2018. Therefore, the owner is requesting a one year extension of the site plan review approvals in order to avoid future delays in development. There are no anticipated changes to the site plan at this time which would expedite development.
Staff does recognize that the (1) year period has expired but the Planning Commission does have the discretion to approve an extension after the expiration of the site plan if it feels there is compelling reason to do so. In this case, staff is recommending approval of a (1) year extension due to the unforeseen power circumstances as well as the various financial variables related to cannabis operations that has cause delays in the projects development. These projects have seen unconventional delays due to the nature of the business that the applicant did not anticipate when the project was recommended to the Planning Commission in February 14, 2017.
IV. FISCAL IMPACT:
None determined at this time.
V. REASONS FOR RECOMMENDATION:
This gives the owners an opportunity to avoid delays in a project that is already approved and without any expected changes to the previous approvals. |