Cannabis oil production in the offing? County Planning Commission sets stage for public hearing

The Warren County Planning Commission met December 9th in its last scheduled meeting of the tumultuous year 2020 with what seemed to the untrained eye to be a routine review and recommendation session. The approval of the agenda was complicated by a late addition – literally, as the meeting began- of a proposed project to build out a Pharmaceutical Processing facility – a medical cannabis production plant – in a county-owned building in the Stephens Industrial Park.

The commission approved the agenda as amended, and Chairman Robert Myers opened the floor for public presentations. He also told the small audience that if there were any attendees there to express their views on the Sheetz development proposal at Linden, that their opportunity would be at the next Commission meeting in January. There were no takers.

Matt Wendling, Planning Department.

The commission then reviewed a conditional use permit application for David and Nita Sudlow, to expand and convert an existing building on their property at 6435 Strasburg Rd. in the Fork magisterial district. Planner Matt Wendling described the project to create a small chapel for family and friends use, with an occupancy not to exceed the legal limit for space. The planning staff recommended conditions for approval, including structural, plumbing, and electrical code compliance, off-street parking, and adequate sewage treatment. The commission unanimously voted in favor of the motion to recommend approval to the County Board of Supervisors. Chairman Myers asked the applicants if they wished to add any comments to the planning department briefing, and they had no further comments to make. The Chairman opened the public hearing, and there were no comments. Vice-Chairman Henry then asked if the sewage issues previously identified had been resolved, and he was assured the applicant had hired an engineer to ensure that both of the Sudlow’s projects would be covered by the resulting septic system. The commission unanimously voted in favor of the motion to recommend approval to the County Board of Supervisors.

The second conditional use permit application related to another project on the same property, to improve an existing structure as a guest house for visiting friends and family, not for long term use. Planner Wendling described the project and the County Planning Department’s recommendations for approval of the permit. There is a current and open electrical permit, and a plumbing permit will also be required. Compliance with all Health Department, Zoning, and other ordinances will be required. The facility will not be rented out. Again, the commission voted unanimously to recommend approval to the Board of Supervisors.

The big story of the meeting agenda came in the form of an application for a conditional use permit by Parallel Virginia, LLC to convert 76,800 square feet of a county-owned facility at 426 Baugh Drive in the Stephens Industrial Park, to a Pharmaceutical Processing Facility. Ultimately their plan is to expand to 176,800 square feet. This property is located south of Fairground Road. The property is zoned Industrial. The Warren County EDA has been recruiting businesses for that site.

Among the legislation passed in 2020 by the Commonwealth of Virginia was SB 976, which set up a framework for the Board of Pharmacy to approve pharmaceutical processors and for the processing and dispensing of cannabis oil. Virginia is the 33rd state to allow the medical use of cannabis. The applicant, Parallel Virginia LLC, has applied for conditional approval to conduct such an activity. Their justification asserts that they plan a workforce of 120-150 in staggered shifts on site. The company claims it has over a million square feet in cultivation, manufacturing, operations, research and development, and distribution in Florida, Massachusetts, Nevada, and Texas. Their application relates to the production and distribution of cannabis oil, not leaf marijuana.

Once Planning Director Taryn Logan had given an overview of the statement of justification and clarified that initially an authorization to advertise a public hearing will be needed. The planning department established a remote call so commissioners could ask questions of Parallel Virginia, LLC representatives including Mike Gillespie, Sam Schwartz, Doug Monette, and Tom Gretz.

Commission members then weighed in with several questions. Commissioner Crystal Beall asked if the security mechanisms to be used will be explained. Company representatives cited “robust security procedures” for their facilities that include 7×24 surveillance of all spaces, monitoring on-site and remotely from a company control center. Commissioner Scott Kersjes then asked about efforts to control or eliminate odor from the process. Company representatives described a combination of advanced filtering and heated air processing to dissipate the emissions in accordance with EPA requirements. Vice-Chairman Hugh Henry asked if the operation was to be distribution or retail. The company response was that the pharmacist managed facility was designed to provide direct delivery to patients by prescription only.

Once the preliminary questions had been answered, the commissioners approved a motion to advertise a public hearing for the project. Clearly, the proposal is in its earliest stages, and a lot of questions will be answered as part of the development process.

In its last action, the board considered a final site plan for an expansion of William Long’s Auto Care Clinic that would add a 5-bay garage to his existing facility at 6768 Winchester Road. The approval would include a waiver of the setback requirement to 70.8 feet. The board unanimously approved the final site plan.

Once the regular business was concluded, Planning Director Logan told the commissioners that work should begin on the county’s Capital Improvement Plan in February. Of general interest, she said that Both Chipotle and Five Guys at Riverton Commons plan to open “within a couple of weeks”.

General holiday greetings were exchanged by the members and the meeting adjourned.