WATERTOWN, New York (WWNY) – Meeting for the first time since the new year, Watertown’s planning commission already reached a new milestone for the city, giving the last bit of approval needed for what could be the city’s first cannabis dispensary, run by the owners of the Cannabis Depot in the Town of Pamelia.

“I’m excited to show Watertown what it’s like to have a good, clean, licensed dispensary,” said Kimberly Parker.

It would be in the Eastern Boulevard Plaza. The prospective owners say they have more steps to take with the state Office of Cannabis Management before the business can officially open, but in the meantime, they’ll be starting the process of setting up shop over the next few weeks.

While one person sent a letter of support for the business to the city planning commission, some in the audience voiced concerns with the dispensary’s location.

“We need to protect the youth against things that are bad for them, yet you’re going to stick the dispensary in their backyard. You’ve got East Hills there. You’ve got Ohio Street school around the corner,” said one citizen.

“I suggest that we move the location to somewhere else in town as opposed to putting it in a hub with children,” said another citizen.

Also brought up at the commission meeting, talks of rezoning this portion of State Street. Owners of the Jumpin Goat Coffee shop have been interested in this location and requested that the zoning be changed to urban-mixed-use to accommodate a new store.

The planning commission decided to recommend the zoning change to the city council. That’s likely to be addressed at the next city council meeting.

New business coming to the city as the year kicks off.

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