Zoning setback for new business

KINGWOOD — A business that applied for a license to act as a medical marijuana dispensary was among those considered this week by Kingwood Council.

Christine McDonald told council she would like to place a business at 107B Pleasant Ave. The building formerly housed Atlantic Broadband, but the parcel has since been split into two properties, Mayor Jean Guillot said, raising questions about how it is zoned.

McDonald’s proposed business at that location is The Next Level Wellness #1 Inc., according to the West Virginia Office of Medical Cannabis.

McDonald said she is still in the application process with the state for the business. It’s her understanding the state will call to verify the location meets local zoning regulations.

“I would hope that I could maybe do something like that [a variance] or maybe have an answer,” McDonald said.

The deadline to submit medical cannabis applications to the state was Feb. 18. Preston County received applications from two growers and one processor, according to the State Office of Medical Cannabis.

Ten grower permits, 10 processor permits and up to 100 dispensary permits will be issued statewide.

McDonald’s was the only application for a dispensary in Preston County, according to the state. All Farms LLC of 2187 Scotch Hill Road, Thornton, and TNU Properties LLC, of 3320 Stemple Ridge Road, Aurora, applied for growers permits. TNU also applied for a processor license.

Looking at the city’s map, it appears part of the property is zoned residential and part business, Recorder Bill Robertson said. It’s possible a variance was issued in the past, he said.

He suggested McDonald seek a new variance. Councilman Mike Lipscomb said he doesn’t foresee there would be a problem getting a variance, since a business was located there in the past.

Councilman Josh Fields said, “It seems silly,” and the building should probably just be rezoned.
McDonald’s business wasn’t the only one discussed this week by Kingwood Council.

It also approved business licenses for Humble Bee Works, owned by Melissa Fultz, at 163 Plaza Court, and Pockets of Time, owned by Karen Stone, at 137 S. Price St.

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