County P&Z to vote on zoning for pot operation

Company wants to build medical marijuana distribution center in Hyder

The Yuma County Planning and Zoning Commission is set to vote on three zoning requests related to a proposed 5-acre medical marijuana cultivation site in Hyder when it meets Monday.

Kactus Kush Farms LLC is requesting a minor general plan amendment, zoning change and special use permit for the five acres on the westernmost edge of a 63-acre property at County 17 1/2 Street and the alignment of Avenue 74.

The site would serve as a distribution center for the more than 130 medical marijuana dispensaries located throughout Arizona, with no sales taking place on the property, according to the limited liability corporation.

A 12,600-square foot building would be constructed for the cultivation, along with smaller kitchen and office structures for staff on the site.

County planning staff has recommended denial of Kactus Kush’s requested Comprehensive Plan minor amendment changing the land use designation from Agriculture/Rural Preservation to Agriculture/ Industrial, finding it incompatible with the surrounding land use designations.

The staff recommendation is for approval of a zoning change from Rural Area-40 acre minimum to Light Industrial-5 acre minimum and the special use permit itself. However, staff reports indicate the Comprehensive Plan change is also necessary for the proposed use.

The commissions makes recommendations for approval or denial of zoning cases, which are then sent to the county Board of Supervisors for a final vote.

The meeting will begin 5 p.m. Monday at the Aldrich Auditorium, 2351 W. 26th St., Yuma. Other agenda items include:

• A public hearing, continued from last month’s meeting, on proposed zoning ordinance changes regarding unpermitted buildings no longer owned by the party that built them, as well as appeals of zoning cases.

• A rezoning of a 10 acre property on Avenue 1E south of County 14 1/2 Street from Rural Area-10 acre minimum to Rural Area-5 acre minimum, also continued from last month.

• Rezoning of 10 acres located south of County 17th Street and Avenue A from Rural Area-10 acre minimum to Suburban Site Built-2 acre minimum.

• A special use permit for automotive sales on a property at 2852 E. Highway 95.

• A special use permit for an accessory dwelling for a residence at 13561 S. Sierra Bonita Blvd.