LANCASTER – The former Snooky’s adult bar and lounge on Sierra Highway is slated to be used as a retail store as part of a planned cannabis operation.
The Lancaster Planning Commission on Monday granted a conditional building permit allowing the cultivation, manufacturing and distribution of cannabis in two proposed industrial buildings, as well as retail sales of cannabis in an existing 2,922-square-foot building at 42653 Sierra Highway in the light industrial zone.
The proposed project includes the construction of two new industrial buildings totaling 73,320 square meters, as well as the use of the former Snooky building, which closed in 2020, and other on-site improvements for the expansion.
“This application does not include a sensitive use distance exception because there are no sensitive uses within 600 feet of the project site,” planner Shannon Edwin said during a presentation at the meeting.
In addition, there are no other cannabis retail stores within 1,000 meters of the proposed project, she added.
All non-retail areas of the store will be cordoned off for security purposes. The project is planned to be implemented in phases, starting with the retail store. Visitors will enter the retail store through a secure lobby. They will be required to sign in and present a valid government-issued ID. Visitors will always be escorted through the facility by a staff member, with a one-to-one staff-to-customer ratio. Visitors will not be allowed access to secure areas of the facility. Visitors to the retail store will be limited to adults over the age of 21.
Retail opening hours are Monday to Sunday from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.
The planned plant will be equipped with industry-standard carbon filters to prevent odors from cultivation and processing.
“The project is so conditional that the detection of an odor could lead to the revocation of the CUP,” said Edwin.
The proposed project was submitted by the applicant Antelope Valley Wellness LLC.
Commissioner Devin Birden asked a representative of the applicant about the 6 a.m. start time.
“The state actually allows that,” the representative said. “The only reason we requested 6 a.m. is in case we need to come in early in the morning for inventory. We want to make sure the inventory arrives before there is a lot of traffic or congestion on the road.”
He added that the retail part could start at 7 a.m.
The applicant has 10 years of industry experience, including an existing facility in the city of Montebello, he said in response to a question from Vice Chairman Steven Derryberry.
The commission voted 6-0 to approve the conditional building permit; Chairman James Vose was absent.
