Lakewood Planning Commission Meeting - December 5, 2024

The Lakewood Planning Commission met on Thursday, December 5, 2024, at 6:00 PM in the City Hall Auditorium. The meeting covered a conditional use application for a medical marijuana dispensary and a communication regarding the Complete Streets Initiative. The commission approved the conditional use with conditions and deferred the Complete Streets items.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the absence of Commissioner Gall (motion and second, unanimous approval by voice vote).
• Approved the minutes from the November 7, 2024 meeting (motion and second, unanimous approval with one abstention from Commissioner Reese).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Samuel O'Leary, representing landlord Lakewood West End LLC, spoke late in the discussion. He noted that the removal of the Harry Buffalo restaurant will reduce parking demand, and that the landlord has never towed cars from the lot. He also mentioned that adjacent businesses, including Blackbird Baking, may provide additional parking for employees if needed.

Discussion Items

Conditional Use - Docket 09-36-24 (18605 Detroit Ave.)

The applicant, Standard Wellness Co. LLC (dba The Forest Lakewood), represented by Joseph Andulics and Emily Simmerley, requested approval for a medical marijuana dispensary to allow adult use. The property is zoned C2 Commercial Retail. Key points discussed:

• The applicant is an Ohio company with 335 employees, 250 shareholders (56 from Lakewood or formerly from Lakewood).
• The proposed dispensary occupies approximately 4,600 square feet of the building (upper floor ~2,300 sq ft).
• Parking: 13 dedicated spaces are provided within the lease, meeting the code requirement (minimum 7, maximum 17 based on 1-2.5 spaces per 1,000 sq ft). An additional 5-8 spaces may be available via shared arrangements (verbal agreement with Tim Needles for the Graber parcel, and potential spaces from Blackbird Baking).
• The applicant agreed to a condition that the dispensary cannot open until the adjacent RISE dispensary ceases operations (RISE has a pending move to Pearl Road, expected to complete in 1-2 weeks; RISE's license renewal is in June/July 2025).
• Exterior changes and signage will require Architectural Board of Review (ABR) approval.
• The applicant removed exterior sculptures from the design, but will propose planters for screening along Detroit Avenue.
• A no-loitering policy will be enforced.
• The public right-of-way fronting the building will receive special attention and treatment to be reviewed by ABR.

Complete Streets Initiative - Docket 07-30-24 and 07-31-24

Planning Director Boss reported that the ordinance and resolution are still being revised and a final draft is not ready. The commission voted to defer these items until a final draft is available.

Key Outcomes

• Docket 09-36-24 (Standard Wellness Co.): Approved with four conditions:
  1. The dispensary shall not open until RISE/GTI at 18605 Detroit Ave. has ceased operations; all work by the applicant is at their own risk until then.
  2. Any exterior alterations and signage must be approved by the Architectural Board of Review before permits.
  3. A no-loitering policy shall be enforced at the business.
  4. The area along Detroit Avenue in the public right-of-way fronting the building shall receive special attention, with treatments proposed to the ABR for review and discussion. The motion was made, seconded, and carried unanimously (voice vote: all ayes).
• Dockets 07-30-24 and 07-31-24 (Complete Streets): Deferred until a final draft is ready. Motion made, seconded, and carried unanimously.

The meeting adjourned at approximately 6:40 PM.