Santa Rosa Planning Commission Approves Two Cannabis Permits on September 23, 2021
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Santa Rosa Planning Commission Meeting Summary – September 23, 2021
The Santa Rosa Planning Commission met virtually on September 23, 2021, at 4:30 p.m. to consider two conditional use permits for cannabis businesses. After lengthy public hearings, the commission unanimously approved both projects. The meeting included first-time Spanish translation services via Zoom, a public comment period, and staff updates on city planning initiatives.
Consent Calendar
- None.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Duane DeWitt (Roseland resident) urged the commission to resume in-person meetings at City Council chambers with social distancing, citing that the virtual format burdens the community. He also requested meetings start after 5:15 p.m. to accommodate working-class people.
- For the Erudite Dispensary (9.1): Michael Hilber expressed concern about defective noticing and requested a suspension of the vote until adequate public notice was ensured.
- For Old School Cannabis (9.2): Numerous community members spoke, with a majority in opposition. Key opposing points included: proximity to schools and residences, concerns about increased policing and impacts on undocumented immigrants, potential odor and safety issues (volatile manufacturing), over-concentration of dispensaries, and the desire for community-serving uses (library, community center, daycare) at the former school site. Supporters cited benefits such as economic development, safe and regulated access, minority/women ownership, and improved property maintenance. Many Spanish-speaking residents (e.g., Ana Salgado, Marcela, Rocio Mondragon Reyes) spoke through interpretation, and several students from Roseland University Prep and MEChA de SRJC voiced opposition.
Discussion Items
- Erudite Dispensary (CUP19-056): Staff presented the project – a ~2,500 sq ft cannabis retail dispensary with delivery at 3059 Coffee Lane. The project was found exempt from CEQA. Discussions highlighted the minor noticing defect (sign posted 3 days late) and clarified that the zoning (General Industrial) is not consistent with the General Plan (Light Industrial) but no rezoning is required because both zones allow the use with a conditional use permit. The commission also addressed parking and traffic study discrepancies. The applicant (Jeff Linden) explained the revised site plan corrected parking layout.
- Old School Cannabis (CUP21-027): Staff and applicant (Nayeli Rivera, co-owner) presented the project – a 2,350 sq ft retail dispensary with delivery and on-site consumption, 17,120 sq ft commercial cultivation, 870 sq ft distribution, and 500 sq ft volatile manufacturing at 100 Sebastopol Road. The property was formerly a school, and the applicant emphasized community engagement, bilingual outreach, and plans for local hiring and donations. The commission discussed the history of the city's cannabis ordinance (adopted after 20+ meetings, effective January 2018), the tier-one goal for cannabis industry development, and the 600-foot separation requirement. Concerns about on-site consumption, odor control, and manufacturing safety were addressed; the applicant stated they would consider revising the 30-minute stay cap for on-site consumption and would post on-site contact information.
Key Outcomes
- Approved Resolution No. 12068 for Erudite Dispensary (motion by Commissioner Cisco, second by Vice Chair Peterson) by a 6-0 vote (Commissioner Okrepkie absent).
- Approved Resolution No. 12069 for Old School Cannabis (motion by Commissioner Duggan, second by Vice Chair Peterson) by a 6-0 vote (Commissioner Okrepkie absent).
- The meeting adjourned at 8:30 p.m.
Other Reports
- Staff announced plans for hybrid meetings (in-person + Zoom) contingent on staff return to campus expected November 1, 2021, and provided updates on upcoming meetings and new state housing laws (SB9 and SB10).
Meeting Transcript
Okay, it is four thirty. Um, and I would like to call the September twenty-third, twenty twenty-one meeting of the Santa Rosa Planning Commission to order. Before we start, I wanted to let everyone know that at this meeting, we will be having an interpreter on the Spanish channel. Uh, I'd like to ask that the interpreter currently on the Spanish channel to commence translation of the meeting. To join the Spanish channel, click on the interpretation icon on the Zoom toolbar, which is also a globe. Once you join the Spanish channel, please shut off your main audio so you clearly hear the Spanish translation. This is the first time the planning commission has had Spanish translation via Zoom, and I would like to thank the community members who requested this. Um, and I would like to encourage all of us maybe to speak a little slower than we normally do uh with the translation. Um as many things happening for the first time. If we have some hiccups along the way, um, I'd like to ask for everybody's indulgence and patience. And uh we may end up taking uh a couple of breaks during the meeting as we work through this. So um and I'd like to read the following statement. Uh, junior provisions of the governor's executive orders N twenty five-twenty and N twenty-nine twenty, which suspends certain requirements of the Brown Act and the order of the health officer of the county of Sonoma to shelter in place to minimize the spread of COVID nineteen. The planning commissioners will be conducting today's meeting in a virtual setting using Zoom webinar. Commissioners and staff are participating from remote locations and are practicing appropriate social distancing. Members of the public may view and listen to the meeting as noted on the city's website and as noted on the agenda. Members of the public wishing to speak during item for public comment or during our two public hearing items tonight, will be able to do so by raising their hand and will be given the ability to address the commission. Mr. Maloney, uh, would you like to call roll? Thank you, Chair Wakes. Yes, um, one moment. I think the span the Spanish translator would like to um on the English side state um in Spanish the instructions that you just gave. Thank you. If we can give an opportunity for that, and then I'll call it. We're gonna move one of them back one moment. One moment, Chair Weeks. This is Charles Spanish interpreter. I'll commence now. Thank you, Chair Weeks. Uh let the record reflect that all commissioners are present except Commissioner O'Krepki, and we can move on with the meeting now. Thank you. Um with that, um, we'll move on to item two point one, which is study session, which we do not have one tonight. Um item three is approval of minutes. We have minutes for both the twelfth and the ninth. I'm sorry, for both August 12th and September 9th meeting. Are there any changes to either of those minutes? Okay, seeing none. Um item four, public comment. Uh, this is now the time for public comment for any item that is not on the agenda tonight. If you wish to make a comment via Zoom, please select the raise hand button. If you are dialing in via telephone, please dial star nine to raise your hand. Each speaker has three minutes. A countdown timer will appear for the convenience of the speaker and the viewers. Please make sure to unmute yourself when you're invited to do so, and your microphone will be muted at the end of that countdown. And I would like to reiterate that this is for items that are not on the agenda tonight. Sorry, we're playing some catch up on the tech side over here. Um we are on it for public comments. We have two hands raised. No, I just wanted to let you all know that I was I wanted to speak when my turn comes, but not this moment. It's just that I wasn't able to get in the signal.
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