POT DISPENSARY IN TEMPLETON GETS THE GREEN LIGHT FROM COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION

Two Delays and Six Months Later, Planners Vote 3-2 to Allow the
Controversial Shop to Open

It took nearly six months, but the county Planning Commission decided
Thursday to allow a controversial medical marijuana dispensary to
open in Templeton.

The 3-2 vote was the third attempt by commissioners to resolve the
fate of the proposed North County Resource Center at 3850 Ramada
Drive. The commission was deadlocked in July amid disagreement over
whether the facility complied with a county ordinance that governs
cannabis co-ops and postponed a decision again in October.

The verdict came as jurisdictions statewide remain uncertain about
the legality of medical marijuana. The plant was approved for
prescription use by California voters more than a decade ago but is
prohibited under federal law.

About a dozen supporters addressed the commission, saying marijuana
helped treat diseases including asthma, glaucoma and arthritis.

"Patients in our county must have safe, local means to get their
medicine," dispensary owner Austen Connella told commissioners. "...
We would set an example as to how a dispensary can be a positive
addition to San Luis Obispo County."

Representatives for the Templeton Unified School District, Templeton
Chamber of Commerce and Templeton Area Advisory Group told
commissioners that the dispensary is a poor fit for the community.

Sheriff Pat Hedges, Paso Robles police Chief Lisa Solomon and
Atascadero police Chief Jim Mulhall also opposed, claiming such
businesses invite drug-related crime.

"It's not germane to the community," chamber President Rob Rosales
said of marijuana's medicinal qualities. "I don't think someone's
going to deny some 9-year-old terminally ill kid, but it goes to what
the community wants."

A county ordinance allows such facilities in unincorporated inland
areas such as Templeton but prohibits them from operating in a
downtown business district or within 1,000 feet of any school,
library, playground, park or youth recreation area.

County planners initially told the commission the industrial park
that would house the business was 1,004 feet from a park managed by
the Templeton Oaks Homeowners Association.

But, when staffers measured a second time from the park's closest
boundary, they found it to be 925 feet from the planned dispensary.
The park is across Highway 101 and would be about a mile drive from
the dispensary.

Opponents have 14 days to appeal the commissioners' decision to the
county Board of Supervisors.

Commissioners Anne Wyatt, Penny Rappa and Sarah Christie voted in
favor. Chairman Bob Roos, who lives in and represents Templeton, and
Commissioner Eugene Mehlschau opposed.