One of the City of Parkville’s biggest supporters has concerns about medical marijuana facilities in the downtown historic district and opened a door for future discussion of such facilities.
Park University president Dr. Greg Gunderson spoke to the board at its Tuesday, Jan. 21 meeting, voicing his thoughts on the approval of zoning regulations permitting the operation of medical marijuana facilities. The amended zoning code was up for approval on the night’s agenda and was eventually approved without amendment — for now.
“Park University has done much to enhance the economic strength of Parkville in recent years,” Gunderson said, noting that the school and city have shared a mutually beneficial 145-year relationship. “Our students and employees live here, they learn here, they shop and dine here.”
Gunderson said he is concerned about medical marijuana facilities in the downtown district near the university. He commended the city for writing the zoning code to create a 1,000 feet buffer zone separating facilities from elementary and secondary schools, daycares and churches.
He asked the city consider both Park University and the historic Banneker School as educational institutions protected by the 1,000 feet buffer zone. He said Webster Grove, Mo. included universities in its setback protections as a unique educational institution.
Gunderson acknowledged that the city has limited power to regulate marijuana operations, as they are overseen by the state.
“I’m here tonight to urge you to exercise the power you do have to protect our young people and preserve the family-friendly feel of Parkville downtown,” Gunderson said.
Also last week, the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services issued its list of dispensary licenses. A dispensary was approved for downtown Parkville, as reported in the related story in this issue.
Mayor Nan Johnston asked city attorneys the reasoning behind excluding Park University. The state’s constitution and DHSS regulations specified only elementary and secondary schools are protected under the buffer zone. The city followed state guidance when crafting its new ordinances.
Alderman Dave Rittman had previously voiced concerns about the university at a board meeting earlier this month.
“The question is what can we do to recognize an educational institution?” Rittman said. “Can we adopt that kind of language that was used elsewhere?”
Instead of creating an exemption for the university, the attorney suggested removing the downtown zoning district from the list of permitted areas to host medical marijuana facilities. However, this would require the measure go back to the city’s planning and zoning commission for further discussion. The on campus chapel may be considered a church, thus likely falling into the exclusion zone, but the university as a whole should not be labeled as a school, as it is not considered as such under the state constitution.
Rittman urged the city hold off approval of the ordinance to investigate options, but city attorneys argued delaying a vote beyond the Friday licensing announcements would open the city to potential litigation.
Although aldermen at the time of the meeting were dubious that any licenses would be approved in downtown Parkville, the state announcement Friday proved this assumption wrong. Agri-Genesis, 2 East Second Street, was approved for a dispensary license.
Alderman Marc Sportsman said approving the ordinance now and revisiting it in the future, if needed, would be a better option. Alderman Doug Wylie agreed something should be put into place, just in case, and then if a dispensary license was awarded on Friday they could revisit regulations.