CLEARLAKE—The Clearlake City Council unanimously approved development agreements for two cannabis businesses on Thursday despite water usage and traffic safety concerns raised by members of the public.
The agreements with Akwaaba, INC. and Green Growth Solutions, LLC. were brought forward following review and recommendation for council approval by the planning commission. There was no public comment on the former agreement, while more than five members of the public chimed in on the latter agreement.
The more controversial of the two, Green Growth Solutions, LLC., has proposed a brand-new commercial cannabis operation at 2560 Highway 53, where there is a 15-acre, industrially-zoned empty lot. The site is on the eastern side of State Route 53.
Councilmember Russ Cremer initially raised concern about the entrance and exit to the property off State Route 53 and said he would like to see the planning commission review that aspect; however, ultimately he voted to approve the agreement.
“I do want to make sure that your project is done correctly and takes into account the safety of the city, safety going up and down Highway 53,” Cremer said, speaking to the developer. “I would encourage you to look at that ingress, egress.”
The operation will include a 10,000-square-foot, single-story building for processing and distribution and a 40,000-square-foot, two-story metal building for indoor cultivation and administrative purposes. There will also be hybrid greenhouses for indoor cultivation totalling 36,000 square feet.
Several members of the public urged the council to send the item back to the planning commission for further review.
Cheryl Sullivan, a member of the public, suggested (in a comment submitted to and read by City Clerk Melissa Swanson) that the property be set back further from the highway and raised concerns about how much water would be needed for the facility.
“I’m very worried about the water table,” Sullivan said. “I’m sure the cannabis operation requires a great amount of water. We are already in a severe drought.”
A motion to approve the agreement was made by Councilmember Joyce Overton and seconded by Councilmember David Claffey.
The development agreement with Akwaaba, INC. will allow the company to expand its operation, currently a storefront cannabis dispensary, Triple C Collective, to include cultivation, distribution, and manufacturing with a microbusiness permit.
The business has proposed housing its manufacturing and nursery operations in a 524-square-foot space and offices in an 86-square-foot space to the north of the dispensary. To the south, a 586-square-foot unit will accommodate a distribution center and employee restrooms and break rooms.
A motion to approve the agreement was made by Cremer and seconded by Overton.
