Two marijuana cultivation facilities receive permits from borough

PALMER — The Mat-Su Borough planning commission issued condition use permits (CUP) for two marijuana cultivation facilities at Monday evening’s meeting.

Four resolutions were approved during the session. Two dealt with marijuana while the third will allow for a new roadhouse on Petersville Road. The fourth will allow Albatross Restaurant at Settlers Bay Golf Course to expand current beer and wine sales to include liquor.

The first marijuana-related request came from Brad Bartlett, who plans on opening a cultivation facility at 4603 North Pittman Road in Meadow Lakes, the second from Phillip Izon who plans to do the same at 1044 South Old Glenn Highway in Palmer.

According to filed documents, the Meadow Lakes growing operation will take place at the current site of B&E Sand and Gravel. To be called Denali Dispensaries, the application stated the operation will utilize a portion of an existing 3,000 square foot building on a lot of approximately 120 acres. Borough planner Mark Whisenhunt said other than the required fencing, the business’s application met all necessary criteria.

Whisenhunt also referenced an injunction filed against B&E Sand and Gravel along with two other individuals named in the suit, by the borough to have what he stated was “junk vehicles, junk, and trash” in a June 6 borough memorandum. His memo said B&E is now in compliance with the suit. Whisenhunt said plans call for an eight-foot high fence around the building to be in place by Dec. 31, 2017.

In closing discussion, commission Chairwoman Colleen Vague noted she thought the matter “junk” issue wasn’t resolved until shortly before the permit application was submitted.

The second application came from KushTopia.

Izon told the commission the project will utilize 48 Connex shipping containers and when finished, will form a 40x96 footprint that is 40 feet high. According to documents, the first phase will see six containers set up. During discussion, the topic of stability came up.

Commissioner Thomas Healy was curious what would happen to stacked shipping containers in the event of an earthquake. Izon said the containers are the same as those shipped worldwide on large barges. He said each container interlocks with another this making for a rigid structure. Like the first request, fencing was a concern and will be brought into borough compliance before the facility can open.

The commission also issued a CUP to The Forks Reborn LLC for a bar with food services to be located at 13046 West Petersville Road. The facility’s location sits on a five-acre parcel and is on the site of its predecessor—The Roadhouse. That establishment burned some years ago and was a popular draw for recreational enthusiasts. It sat about three miles west of Parks Highway on the seasonal road.

The final CUP was issued to the Albatross Restaurant at Settlers Bay Golf Course. The facility currently holds a beer and wine license but want to expand into liquor sales.

Contact reporter Chris Ford at 352-2270 or chris.ford@frontiersman.com