Zoning change will help planned Ravenna marijuana dispensary expand parking

Diane Smith, Record-Courier
·1 min read

A medical marijuana dispensary in Ravenna can go forward with plans for expanded parking after Ravenna City Council approved a zoning change for the property next door.

More:Ravenna planners to vote next week proposed medical marijuana dispensary

Monday's vote came after a public hearing last month, which drew little opposition from residents.

Simple AG plans to demolish the house at 556 N. Chestnut St., next to the potential dispensary site, for additional parking for the dispensary. In order for that to happen, the zoning of the house needed to change from residential to industrial.

In October, Ravenna's Planning Commission approved plans for the Ravenna store, at 554 N. Chestnut St., which would be the second medical marijuana dispensary in Portage County. A dispensary at 331 E. Main St. in Kent, which will be called Bliss Ohio, was approved by that city's planning commission in August.

The dispensary site is already zoned industrial, a reason multiple applicants considered the site in 2021.

Councilwoman Amy Michael cast the lone vote in opposition to the zoning change Monday.

Ravenna City Council action paves the way for repairs to Main, North Chestnut and South Prospect streets

In other business, council approved several pieces of legislation related to road projects planned for the coming year. Ravenna has obtained grant funding to pave Main Street within the city limits, plus North Chestnut and South Prospect streets. All three projects involve more than $2 million in state and federal investment into Ravenna roads.

City Engineer Bob Finney said the Ohio Department of Transportation won't advertise for bids until August, giving the contractor a "short window" of time to work before asphalt plants close for the winter.

"We're ready for them," Finney said.

Reporter Diane Smith can be reached at 330-298-1139 or dsmith@recordpub.com.

This article originally appeared on Record-Courier: Zoning change will help Ravenna marijuana dispensary expand parking