Cannabis shops now allowed in Concrete

CONCRETE - The Concrete Town Council passed marijuana code amendments Monday that allow cannabis retailers in town and reduce the 1,000-foot buffer zone for such businesses to a minimum of 500 feet from the library.

The vote was 3-1.

The decision to reduce the buffer zone relates to a prospective buyer for the former Mad Hatter Metal Works site, located on the south side of Highway 20 and about 560 feet from the Upper Skagit Library.

The 500-foot buffer also affects recreation centers, child care centers, public parks, transit centers and game arcades where admission is not restricted to those 21 and older.

Schools and playgrounds still have a 1,000-foot buffer.

High Society owner Jason Kitzman showed interest in opening a cannabis store at the former Mad Hatter Metal Works site during the April 13 Town Council meeting, but was not in attendance Monday.

Councilmembers Karla Massingale, Michael Werner and Billi Bellinger voted in favor of the code amendments, also known as Ordinance 910, while Councilmember Rob Thomas voted against. Councilmember Stephanie Semro was not present.

Despite the council's approval, most public commenters urged the council to reject the amendments or maintain the original buffer zone.

Upper Skagit Library Public Service Specialist Cody Johansen requested the council to postpone its decision until the library could gather additional survey results from patrons related to the proposed change in the buffer.

Later, Johansen said the library lacked sufficient time between the April 13 meeting and Monday to compile survey results.

Town Planner Kevin Cricchio responded that a public hearing on the amendments occurred in early February, with multiple opportunities for public comment leading up to Monday.

Gabe Asarian, who is a member of the Concrete School Board but was not speaking for the board, gave a presentation in January on recreational cannabis.

On Monday, he and and his wife, Stacy Asarian, urged the council to vote against the amendments.

"I've shared some of the science on cannabis with you, and the benefits simply did not outweigh the costs," Gabe Asarian said. "Rather than increasing access and convenience to an addictive substance, I ask that you consider the majority of your constituents, think big and govern for the future."

Two Concrete residents living near the Mad Hatter site opposed reducing the buffer zone, citing concerns about the site's proximity to a school bus stop and stating they would have avoided purchasing their homes if a cannabis retailer had been present.

"It's giving the kids the idea that this is OK," said Tracy Coggins. "We already have a huge drug problem at the school, and it's just becoming more convenient, just like the alcohol and so on and so forth. Anybody can buy it and give it to the kids."

The last speaker was Glenn Nickel, who said Kitzman is a "good person."

"The revenue would be good," Nickel said. "The kids can't touch it, no more than they can touch the alcohol. And alcohol is much worse."

In addition, the council received two identical emails from Concrete residents in favor of the code amendments.

Thomas said he voted against the amendments because he did not think the buffer should be reduced, and that neighbors of the Mad Hatter site should have a say just as when the council reconsidered dog park locations in response to neighbor feedback.

Massingale, Werner and Bellinger's reasoning for their vote was the following:

* They stated that keeping the 1,000-foot buffer would make it nearly impossible to open a cannabis retailer in town

* They noted that the Mad Hatter property is already zoned light industrial-commercial, and pointed out that other businesses, such as a noisy metal shop, could also be considered undesirable by neighbors

* They emphasized that state-regulated cannabis will not be laced with other substances, such as fentanyl, which is a concern in the community

* A cannabis store in town could reduce impaired driving

* They added that there are plans to use tax revenue from cannabis sales to support youth programs

When the council voted to approve the ordinance, they also said to amend the code to require a fence at least 8 feet tall around cannabis retailers.

Concrete's next Town Council meeting will be at 6 p.m. Monday, May 11. For more information, visit townofconcrete.com.

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