Carson City Commission OKs medical pot spot

A medical marijuana cultivation and production facility was approved Wednesday by Carson City’s Planning Commission for 2919 N. Deer Run Rd.

The co-located cultivation and edibles or oil making units were approved separately via two special use permits. They will go in one new, 13,775 square foot building if opened and the applicant, BioNeva Innovations Carson City. Mark Turner, speaking for BioNeva, said the marketplace would decide if and when that occurs, echoing a comment by Paul Esswein, commission vice chairman.

The comments came after Jerry Vaccaro, who identified himself as a businessman and Carson City taxpayer, challenged the idea of allowing unlimited numbers of grow and production facilities in the city.

“You’re opening the floodgates,” he said. “This will become a junior Colorado.”

Vaccaro also said there are going to be enough such places to supply all of Northern Nevada if the commission continues approving such permits.

Esswein told him the state authorized them and the city ordinance sets no limit, but that there are going to be just two dispensaries. He also said the commission has little choice, adding his marketplace comment.

“Ultimately the marketplace is going to determine that,” he said.

The vote was 3-1 with Commissioner Walt Owens dissenting. Owens said later it was because the applicant hadn’t made efforts to contact surrounding businesses, residents or organizations.

Commissioners also voted 3-1, acting as the city’s Growth Management Commission, to authorize two car washes that by application estimates would exceed water usage limits of 7,500 gallons per day. The applicant said the estimates were high and the units would come in at less by lessening need for landscape water and due to a 12 or 13 gallons per wash usage, rather than 20 originally planned.

Approval came for car washes at 3555 S. Carson St. and at 1250/1300 E. William St. planned by Surf Thru, Inc. The usage in the application was figured originally at 8,139 daily.

Commissioner Victor Castro cast the dissenting vote, voicing concern about the drought, growth in the number of car washes here and the fact the number still exceeds the limit.