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Cortez discusses marijuana cultivation in industrial park

Larry Grider, an equipment operator for the city of Cortez, dumps a load of dirt and debris in the Cortez Industrial Park. A marijuana grow facility is been examined as a possible tenant in the park.

Cortez City Council members on Tuesday delayed a decision about allowing marijuana grow operations in the Cortez Industrial Park, saying that they needed more information.

Mark Rodgers, who owns property off Industrial Park Road, asked the council in May to consider revising the land-use code to allow grow operations. He said some people have indicated they would buy his building, but they were waiting to see whether a code change would allow a grow operation.

Rodgers asked councilors Tuesday if they had researched the subject. There are several empty buildings in the industrial park, and another land use might be helpful, he said.

“If we can turn some buildings into productive, moneymaking buildings, then I think it’s worth looking at,” he said.

City Manager Shane Hale said the Cortez Police Department is investigating how much time and money would be devoted to patrolling marijuana operations in the industrial park if the code were changed, he said. That investigation would take several months.

Rodgers said he has been waiting on a decision for months, and wanted to know why the police needed more time.

Police Chief Roy Lane said the department was doing two rounds of inspections to determine possible effects. Officers were preparing to start the second round of inspections, he said. The inspection process typically takes three to four months, Lane said.

“When I give you numbers, I want them to be true,” the chief told councilors.



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