The Times - Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley

DAYTON – Based on recommendation from the Columbia County Planning Commission, the application for a conditional use permit by Trailhead Cannabis Co. to open and operate a retail marijuana store in the county was approved on June 6 by Columbia County Land Use Hearing Examiner, Andrew Kottkamp.

The proposed site for the store 36711 Hwy 12, is on a .34-acre parcel on the north side of Hwy 12, just west of Dayton. The site is outside city limits, in an area of commercial and light industrial uses.

According to the Columbia County Planning and Building Staff Report, the location meets zoning criteria, as well as the Washington State buffer requirements for marijuana retail sales.

The Columbia County Planning Department received the initial application from Trailhead Cannabis Co. on March 21. Requests for comments were issued to surrounding landowners and county departments on March 22, and a final public hearing was held May 24.

The Planning Commission recommended approval of the CUP for Trailhead Cannabis Co., subject to nine conditions, as follows:

“The CUP needs to be acted upon within 12 calendar months from the date of approval, or it will be voided. All conditions as received by the state Department of Transportation must be met as well as marijuana requirements, reporting and licensing per state legislature WACs. ADA accessible parking must be provided. Landscaping, parking areas, and general building maintenance must be provided to ensure aesthetics of the general area. Any violation of set conditions will permit Columbia County to refer the CUP to the County Planning Commission for revocation. County staff will re-evaluate the permit in one year to ensure conditions are being met and adjust conditions as necessary.”

RV Park

On May 31, Kottkamp approved a request from Tim White for a CUP to operate an RV Park on an 8.49-acre parcel on the west side of the North Touchet Road, about seven miles south of Dayton, subject to 30 conditions.

Concerns aired at the public hearing on May 24, were around noise, aesthetics and long- term stays.

Primary concerns for the county are: traffic generation on public roads; public nuisances, such as noise; mitigating the threat of wildfire; maintaining aesthetics at the property; and potential effects on the Touchet River, including the need to protect the river and surrounding habitat.

According to the Planning and Building Dept. staff report, approval of the request, with provided conditions, will not create negative environmental impacts, per SEPA review and determination, nor will it be detrimental to the public health, safety and welfare of the community members and/or general public.

“The county has experienced very few issues with RV parks, with the exception of one. Proper management has a bigger role than size when it comes to having problems in the parks,” the Report reads.

Event Center

A decision regarding a request from DJ and Diana Frame to approve their application for a CUP to operate an event center in an existing barn 828 North Touchet Road, seven miles southeast of Dayton, was approved by Kottkamp on May 23.

The majority of the events are likely to be private, including weddings and family reunions, but the facility could also be used for public events, such as fundraisers. Events will take place on Saturdays, and the hours of operation are from 9 a.m. to midnight.

The Columbia County Planning Commission had recommended approval, subject to 20 conditions.

For more information on these CUP approvals, contact the county Planning & Building Department at (509) 382-3940.