GAYLORD — The Gaylord City Council may consider whether a proposed marijuana transportation firm can operate out of a building near a school at its next meeting on Feb. 14 at city hall.
The city planning commission recently denied a special use permit for Michigan Secure Trucking, owned by James Davis, for a building located at 400 W. Mitchell St. Davis wanted to park vehicles in the building and on the property that would be used to transport marijuana.
The building is located next to St. Mary Cathedral School.
“After hearing public comment, the planning commission concluded that the proposed secure transport service would be incompatible with the existing St. Mary Cathedral School. Although the applicant had voluntarily agreed not to store marijuana at the site, the commission was concerned that the perception of marijuana or cash in the building would increase the likelihood of crime in close proximity to the school,” said Gaylord City Attorney Paul Slough.
Slough said the building is in an area zoned commercial C-2 and marijuana transporters are permitted in C-2 zones with a special use permit.
Jerry Belanger, principal of St. Mary Cathedral School, said the school community is opposed to the company operating out of that building.
“To the north of (the building) is our playground that borders the property and to the east is the high school. We don’t think it’s in the best interest of our school and the overall safety of our school community to have a secured transit company that close to our children,” said Belanger.
David Miller, who owns the building and intends to lease it to Davis, said the property has been used as a trucking depot for over 30 years with no complaints from St. Mary.
He has invested over $50,000 dollars into the building and “the potential lessee of the building has spent over $60,000 of his own money (on) the interior of the building.”
“The request by (Davis) does in fact meet the zoning requirements,” noted Miller who said Davis has also met eight criteria needed to get a special use permit.
Even though Davis pledged not to have any marijuana in the building, parents were still concerned, said Belanger.
“A lot of the parents at the first meeting in October did bring that up but if there were an emergency, then (the marijuana) may have to be stored overnight. The state has put certain criteria on them that (the building) has to be secure which is telling as to why would the state impose those safety precautions. A lot of our parents are concerned about the building being so close,” added Belanger.
Miller said St. Mary’s had contacted him and asked him to donate the property to the church, which was declined.
“If they wish to purchase the property they can, after they reimburse Mr. Davis for his time and investment in the property,” said Miller.
Slough said the city council may approve, deny, or approve with conditions the special use application.
Last year, council approved ordinance and zoning designations for businesses to produce, process, purchase, sell, test, and transport marijuana in the city.
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