Cathedral City Council gives go-ahead for pot project expected to rake in 900K in annual tax revenue
The pot cultivation industry just scored a major victory in Cathedral City. Last night, the Cathedral City Council made the decision to allow the 106,000 square foot Mor Furniture building to be converted into a “cultivation only facility and partial general retail shop,” per Chris Parman, the Communications/Events Manager of Cathedral City.
The council’s decision came through a unanimous vote reversing an original denial of the project by the Cathedral City Planning Commission.
“The council determined that the applicant met all state and local laws, city ordinances, and conditional uses to receive a permit from the city,” reads Parman’s statement. “The applicant will make improvements to the building and surrounding areas by repainting the building, slurry sealing and restriping a portion of the shopping center’s parking lot, repaving the street surrounding the building, and refreshing all landscaping.”
The building’s current owner, up until this point, was unable to find another tenant for the space, and Mor furniture, the current tenant, has no plans on renewing its lease. The applicant is expected to invest $20 million into the facility for improvements.
“The cannabis facility has the potential, based on current tax rates, to generate nearly $900,000 a year in tax revenue for the City to help pay for police, fire, streets, and parks,” continues Parman’s statement. “Some residents had concerns that the cultivation center might have a detrimental effect on other businesses within the center. However, the City notified all property owners within a 300 feet radius about the plans and received no negative comments. “
Vista Paint, a current tenant of the property, will remain, but in a new space. According to the applicant, the painting business had already applied to lease $7,500 in commercial space alongside the cultivation project.
In terms of aesthetic impact, the passerby won’t notice much; the signage out front will be switched from “Mor Furniture,” to “Vista Paint,” and the cultivation operation will be behind the scenes, not visible to the commercial public.
“From a public right-of-way, there should be no exterior evidence of the cannabis business except for any permitted on-site signage,” reads the Cathedral City Conditions of Approval Conditional Use Permit. “All cultivation of cannabis shall occur in an enclosed locked structure.”
The most evident changes will be in the form of property improvements, and for those concerned with smell, the applicant has agreed to abide by all odor control measures advised by the city, according to Parman’s statement.
The Mor Furniture property is located at 67555 East Palm Canyon Drive.
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