Cannabis dispensary relocation

Valley Farms' regional director asked for an exception to the five-foot shortfall, saying the city approved the purchase and later reversed course, forcing the business to close in January.

A managing member of Valley Farms said the city told them the original site was conforming, then reversed after the $3 million purchase, leaving them $6 million in losses and shut down.

A Santa Rita Union School District board member urged the commission to uphold the denial, citing the school bus stop, nearby market, and laundromat where students gather.

A District 5 resident asked the commission to reaffirm the denial, saying students pass the area daily and a dispensary there would be inconsistent with school safety.

A District 5 resident described personal experience with cannabis smoking near her apartment and asked the commission to uphold the denial to protect children and families.

Speaking in Spanish, she described daily exposure to vaping among high school students and asked the commission to deny permits for such shops near schools and parks.