Leif Wagner’s request for approval of a Modification of Premises to allow two greenhouses for an indoor medical marijuana grow operation for Mile High Green Cross at 685 Colo. 115, Unit A, was tabled during Tuesday’s Fremont County Board of Commissioners meeting.

The request will be considered during the May 10 meeting after more findings can be obtained for the board.

Wagner told the board Tuesday the owners were seeking approval to put up a fence around an existing greenhouse on the property so they could “extend the privileges” of their current license. He is looking to use an empty greenhouse that already is on the property and would like to erect another at a later time.

Two different licensees operate from within the current facility.

Planning Director Matt Koch said code enforcement did the inspection on the property and there have been no filed complaints, and odor and light mitigation documentation has been submitted.

Prior owners of the property told the commissioners the greenhouse would be dismantled, but it was not ordered by the board. The greenhouses were constructed prior to 24-month moratorium that was approved in April 2015 prohibiting the use, construction, alteration or reconstruction of any building, structure or property for medical marijuana business facilities. Valid license holders, however, would be allowed to continue business operations.

Several Penrose residents urged the board to not approve the request, mostly because of the odor, adding they feel their voices of opposition have not been heard.

Tami Mundy said one of her biggest concerns is the increase in transient and homeless people in the Penrose area.

“I don’t think it’s fair to our community, and I feel if our voice was really heard, we wouldn’t be having this,” she said. “I know we are unincorporated in Penrose, but I think to be fair to the Penrose residents and property owners, you need to put it on the ballot for us this fall, that would be the fairest if you really want to hear what the Penrose residents say.”

Board Chairman Ed Norden said he is concerned about potentially creating a new odor problem based upon the original application of containment within the Bikertown building itself.

“I am having concerns about any greenhouse that now will require fans and ventilation, and I don’t know if the odor that is emanating from Coyote’s (Coffee Den) is from Bikertown or some other facility,” Norden said. “But I am concerned if that if we go into a greenhouse and ventilate, that we are going to create a new problem.”

Commissioner Debbie Bell said Penrose is being forced to bear a lot of the burden of marijuana.

“Many of its residents we’ve heard from are either being forced to change and adapt or to leave,” she said. “I think the flavor of Penrose is changing, it’s slowly becoming a mecca for growers, which discourages me.

“When half of the town or more wants to sell and move away, I think there is a problem, something is wrong.”

In other business, the board:

— Adopted a resolution cancelling uncollectible Creekside Cinema Personal Property Taxes for tax years 2011-2013, totaling about $9,100. Creekside Cinema closed for business in June 2013 and has not operated since. Creekside Cinema will reopen this week as 4 Mile Cinema in the same location.

“We are hoping to with this resolution to be able to just give them a big welcome back to business here in Fremont County, and we’re really excited and happy to see this and hoping this will give them a jump start to get them going,” Bell said.

— Approved proclamations adopting May 2016 as Fremont County Older Coloradans Month and Foster Care Month in Fremont County. There is a critical need for foster parents in Fremont County. Between 30 and 40 local children are sent outside the county because of the shortage. For more information, call the Department of Human Services at 275-2318.

— Approved a resolution for a letter of support for a $5,000 funding commitment to participate in the Colorado Department of Higher Education’s Colorado Opportunity Scholarship Initiative.

— Approved a request for a zone change from the Low Density Residence Zone District to the Agricultural Rural Zone District for property located south of Grandview Avenue. The change will allow for no more than two lots being a minimum of 4.5 acres.

Carie Canterbury: 719-276-7643, canterburyc@canoncitydailyrecord.com