Augusta Approves Special Exception for Medical Cannabis Business
In a groundbreaking move, the Augusta Planning Commission voted to approve a special exception request for a local pharmacy to distribute low-THC medical cannabis. The decision was followed during a meeting held on Monday afternoon.
An Exceptional Request
The special exception was sought by Living Well Pharmacy, a business located along the Mike Padgett Highway in Augusta. The business is owned by Vic Johnson, who submitted the request with the hope to distribute medical cannabis low in THC.
The pressing issue was that Living Well Pharmacy is less than 1,000 feet away from a church operating inside a shopping center, a situation that could previously hinder the distribution of such a substance. Despite this, the request was overwhelmingly accepted, with each commissioner voting in favor, aside from Commissioner Locke McKnight, who abstained from voting.
Unlocking Further Challenges
Commissioner McKnight recused himself from the vote given his position as the president of another involved enterprise, Stables Management Development. His team submitted a petition to have maximum building height for an apartment complex, located at a recently rezoned property at Heard Avenue and Heckle Street, to be revised from two stories to two and a half.
In February, the Augusta Commission had agreed to change the property’s zoning from R-3B to R-3C Multi-family Residential, allowing for additional apartment construction by Stables’ Hillside Lofts. The proposed modification was in line with Augusta’s Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance, which permits R-3C structures to reach a limit of two and a half stories. Commissioners unanimously agreed to the request, paving the way for further development.
Further Special Exceptions
The Augusta Planning Commission’s actions didn’t stop there. They voted unanimously in favor of granting Stryten Energy a special exception. This would allow the company to store and process sulfuric acid at the old Textron plant at the intersection of Mike Padgett and Marvin Griffin Road. Stryten Energy’s plan is to produce vanadium electrolytes for a special type of rechargeable battery at this location.
Although Commissioner Donnie Smith appeared apprehensive due to concerns about potential chemical spills affecting the nearby Butler Creek, the company reassured the committee of their stringent safety measures. They detailed how the sulfuric acid would have a concentration level equivalent to a standard car battery, minimizing potential hazards.
A Positive Day for Augusta Business
With the approval of these exceptional requests, business growth in Augusta looks promising. These judicious decisions by the Augusta Planning Commission underscore their commitment to the responsible development of local businesses, and the provision of needed services for residents, while ensuring stringent safety measures are in place to protect the community and its environment.
