La Plata County commissioners approved two marijuana growing facilities on Tuesday.
The first project was proposed by Watertowne Properties LLC for a 6,000-square-foot building to house various marijuana cultivation practices within a 58-acre property a few miles west of Ignacio.
The property currently has one gas well pad on it but is otherwise undeveloped, said the applicant, Scott Sterling. Outside the new building, the land will be left undeveloped, he said.
Sterling said two full-time employees and two part-time employees would be hired, with the intention of adding four additional employees once business begins.
In January, the county planning commission recommended approval of the project.
The second project was proposed by Durango Warehouse LLC, which requested to construct a 14,256-square-foot building for marijuana cultivation and processing on a nearly 40-acre parcel west of Oxford.
The building would include an office, a warehouse and an 8,640-square-foot greenhouse, according to county documents. The business would include six employees, according to documents filed with the county.
On both proposals, county commissioners expressed concerns about the amount of water to operate them, as well as the security measures necessary to ensure safety.
Representatives for Watertown Properties and Durango Warehouse told commissioners hydraulic studies had been conducted and adequate water has been secured for the growing facilities.
Representatives with both companies said there would be around-the-clock monitoring of the properties, as well as additional measures such as flood lighting and fencing.
Neither facility will offer retails sales on its premises.
Planning Director Jason Meininger told commissioners that with marijuana growing facilities and those going through the process, more than 10 could be in place in the county by the end of the year.
Commissioners agreed to hold a meeting in summer to discuss how marijuana growing facilities in the county could affect water resources.
jromeo@durangoherald.com
