Permits for a Santa Claus Lane marijuana dispensary and a Nojoqui Grade cannabis farm were approved Tuesday by the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors, which voted to deny appeals filed against both projects.
The Roots Dispensary at 3823 Santa Claus Lane near Carpinteria is proposed by Pat and Maire Radis, the property owners, and people associated with the Roots chain of cannabis dispensaries, which has a Lompoc location.
Business owners and residents of the area argued that the pot dispensary would not fit in with the small row of family friendly and beach-related businesses.
They also argued that the location, as the only one permitted between Santa Barbara and Oxnard, could draw too many customers for the local traffic and parking to handle.
The supervisors unanimously voted to deny the appeal and approve the dispensary permit.
First District Supervisor Das Williams, whose district includes Santa Claus Lane, said he doesn’t think residents’ concerns will be realized when the dispensary opens.
Fourth District Supervisor Bob Nelson said county zoning allows a dispensary at the site, and other commercial uses, like a coffee shop, would bring more traffic and parking issues to the area than this use.
Planning staff approved the initial permit application, and that was appealed by Steve Kent and Nancy Rikalo, who own Santa Claus Lane properties including the Padaro Beach Village shops and restaurants.
The Planning Commission voted to deny that appea and approve the project, so Kent appealed again to the Board of Supervisors.
In the recent appeal, Kent argued that the Planning Commission hearing was “unfair” since the appellants were not allowed to respond to all comments made by staff and commissioners.
This is “simply the wrong place for a dispensary,” Jana Zimmer, his attorney, said during the hearing.
Public comment during Tuesday’s hearing was a mix of people supporting the dispensary and opposing it in that location.
Supporters said the operators were professional, local, and met all requirements to open up shop on Santa Claus Lane. It would increase safe access to cannabis for residents in that area, they said.
Opponents said the business isn’t compatible with the neighborhood, and could cause parking issues in the congested area.
“I’m not opposed to cannabis. I just don’t think this is the right location, and would love for somebody to tell me why it would benefit me, a resident who lives on the lane,” Jeff Behrens said.
The dispensary will have an extensive security system and plenty of off-street parking, which many neighboring businesses don’t have, said Luis Castaneda, who will be the operational manager for Roots on Santa Claus Lane.
He said the Roots dispensary in Lompoc was controversial when it started, but is now an essential business that’s invited to local events.
Supervisors Say Yes to Nojoqui Farms Cannabis Cultivation Project
The Board of Supervisors also voted to approve the Nojoqui Farms cannabis cultivation project, after denying two appeals from neighboring farm owners who are concerned about water use from groundwater wells.
State agencies will assess the project’s proposed water use as part of their permit review process, county staff noted.
The Sunburst Church of Self-Realization, doing business as Nojoqui Farms, applied to grow 22.17 acres of cannabis at 1889 Highway 101, which is about four miles south of Buellton.
The cannabis cultivation permit application was already appealed to the county Planning Commission, which voted in August to approve the project. Commissioners added groundwater well pumping limits because of water-use concerns.
The project was appealed both times by owners of neighboring farms: Ed Seaman of Santa Barbara Blueberries and Restoration Oaks Retreats, and Sierra Botanicals, which is leasing an adjacent property and received a county permit to grow cannabis there.
County planning staff wrote in response that “disputes about water rights between two private landowners is a civil matter outside the jurisdiction of the county,” and that the applicant demonstrated that the cannabis groundwater use will be below the baseline use of the property.
The supervisors voted 4-1 to deny the appeals and approve the project, saying it met county permit requirements.
Third District Supervisor Joan Hartmann, who represents the district where the project is located, voted no as a “protest vote” of the process.
Passing the dispute along to state regulatory agencies feels like “we’re abdicating our responsibility,” she said.
— Noozhawk managing editor Giana Magnoli can be reached at gmagnoli@noozhawk.com. Follow Noozhawk on Twitter: @noozhawk, @NoozhawkNews and @NoozhawkBiz. Connect with Noozhawk on Facebook.