Submitting an application for planning/zoning approval of a marijuana business location? You will need to include the attachments described in this guide for your application to be considered complete. Be sure to review all sections of the guide. We highly recommend you contact a Planner at 616-456-4100 to discuss your application before you submit it.
A notarized statement, on separate letterhead, by the property owner (if owned by an LLC or other such corporate entity, a legally qualified representative of that entity):
- Acknowledging the use of the property for a marijuana facility;
- Agreeing to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless the City, its officers, elected officials, employees, and insurers, against all liability, claims, or demands arising out of, or in connection to, the operation of a marijuana facility.
- Explicit written approval by both the owner and operator allowing the City to inspect the facility at any time during normal business hours to ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations. If the applicant will be purchasing the property, they are considered the owner for this purpose (and should submit a copy of the purchase agreement, option, or contract).
Prequalification Certification (Grower, Processor, or Provisioning Center)
A copy of official paperwork as issued by LARA indicating that the applicant has successfully completed the prequalification step of the application for the state operating license.
Proof of Application for Prequalification (Safety Compliance and Secure Transport only)
Certification that all application materials required for prequalification have been received by LARA.
Facility Plan
As required by LARA. NOTE: This is no longer required at the time of application, but rather by the time the Certificate of Occupancy is issued following construction.
Security Plan
As required by LARA.
One or more scaled maps shall be submitted, identifying any of the following land uses (regardless of jurisdictional boundaries) and the distance of those land uses to the proposed facility location:
Within a 1,000 foot radius of the property boundaries
- Childcare centers licensed by the State of Michigan;
- Public or private K-12 schools;
- Publicly owned parks and/or
- Religious institutions;
- Substance Use Disorder Programs licensed by the State of Michigan;
Within a 1,000 foot linear distance along the same primary street's frontage
- Any residentially-zoned properties;
Within a 2,000 foot radius of the property boundaries
- Any other marijuana facilities currently licensed by the State of Michigan and/or having locally approved land use rights for a marijuana facility.
If any of the listed land uses exist within the radii outlined above, the property is not eligible for a marijuana facility. It is the applicant's responsibility to prove that their property is suitable!
Also required
- Written discussion of the measurement method used to identify such uses.
- Evidence of Separation Distance Waiver(s), if applicable - If a waiver is required for a sensitive land use (park or playground, religious institution, or licensed Substance Use Disorder Program only), the applicant shall provide the following documentation:
- Evidence that all eligible sensitive uses within 1,000 feet of the proposed facility location have been notified in writing by the applicant of the intent to (1) request Special Land Use approval for the marijuana facility; and (2) seek a waiver from the separation distance requirements. Such evidence may include a copy of that communication and a certificate of receipt of certified mail or similar means.
Evidence of a valid and effective policy for general liability insurance within minimum limits of $1,000,000 per occurrence and $2,000,000 aggregate limit, issued from a company licensed to do business within Michigan and having an AM Best rating of at least B+++, that includes the name(s) of the insured, effective date, expiration date, and policy number. The City of Grand Rapids and its officials and employees shall be named as additional insured within insurance policy documents. A letter of intent issued by the insurance agency may also fulfill this requirement as long as all points of this Section are explicitly addressed.
Proposed building elevations
Including building materials, window calculations, descriptions of glass to be used, and any other pertinent information describing building construction or structural alterations. Any proposed changes to the building shall be explicitly noted on the elevations, including if and where proposed changes may not meet the requirements of the Zoning Ordinance.
Current building elevations
Shall be provided if available. If current elevations are not available, dated color photographs of all building sides shall be provided, in PDF or PNG format, with a minimum resolution of 600 dpi.
A measured, overhead-view site plan showing any proposed site changes, and available shared or dedicated vehicle and bicycle parking, site amenities, and building entrances/exits, shall be submitted, noting if and where proposed changes may not meet the requirements of the Zoning Ordinance. If no site changes are proposed, a current property survey should be submitted.
A sign plan shall be submitted showing any proposed signage, including measurements, for:
Exterior
The exterior of the building (such signage may be included on required Building Elevation plans, as long as signage is included as a detail on such plans), and;
Interior
Any interior signs that will be visible to the general public from the public right-of-way.
Any proposed lighting fixtures visible to the general public (on the exterior or interior of the building), should be identified on submitted plans, including intensity, fixture specifications, and hours of operation if applicable.
Written Document Requirements
The applicant shall provide a written document describing all of the following:
- Security measures and procedures for cash handling;
- Expected lifestyle of marijuana plans or processed products within the facility, which may include the movement of the product(s), method of storage, etc.;
- A description of the proposed exterior appearance of the facility, including adherence to Zoning Ordinance requirements for building transparency, signage, and entry orientation;
- A description of the proposed interior layout of the facility, including adherence to Zoning Ordinance requirements for product visibility, security measures, walls and transparency, lighting, and signage;
- Hours of operation
- Proposed methods for:
- Processing, if applicable;
- Ventilation;
- Disposal of waste or by-products;
- Water management, and;
- Odor control.
- If any items listed above are not applicable, the applicant should still address them and explain why they are not applicable.
The applicant shall provide:
Written Plan
A written "Good Neighbor Plan" document describing all of the following methods to be employed:
- Training of staff in crime prevention and awareness;
- Methods to eliminate the sale of marijuana to minors, as applicable;
- Litter control;
- Loitering control;
- Trespass enforcement;
- Landscape maintenance;
- Neighborhood communications;
- Compliance with the City's anti-discrimination policies and ordinances related to hiring, housing, and public accommodation practices, as applicable, and;
Verification Requirements
Written verification that the owner, operator, manager, or a representative of the parent company has met with or attempted in good faith to meet with (1) the local recognized organization(s), (2) adjacent property owners, and (3) Planning Department staff. This written verification must include all of the following:
- A copy of the notice and the names and addresses of those notified of the applicant’s desire to meet;
- A copy of the time, date, and location of the meeting(s), and the names, addresses, and phone numbers of those who participated in the meeting(s), such as a sign-in sheet;
- A copy of the draft Good Neighbor Plan and site plan (if applicable) as sent to the neighborhood association and/or as presented at the meeting(s), if different than as submitted;
- Identification of any components of the Good Neighbor Plan which were agreed upon or left unresolved as a result of the meeting(s), and any additional items discussed.
Authentic, good faith community engagement is an important facet of the development process in Grand Rapids. Therefore, a draft Good Neighbor Plan may be submitted at the time of application, but a final plan is required by the time that the notice is sent for the public hearing by the Planning Commission, once scheduled. This is typically about two weeks before the hearing.
Written Statement Requirements
- A written document addressing CPTED principles to be employed at the proposed facility, including but not limited to surveillance methods, access control strategies, territorial reinforcement, maintenance, and target hardening, including the experience of customers, employees, and neighbors.
- A written statement from the Grand Rapids Police Department that the proposed CPTED plan has been reviewed and approved, or is in process. Recognizing that a complete CPTED plan requires a significant investment of time, a draft plan may be submitted at the time of application. A final plan is required by the time that the notice is sent for the public hearing by the Planning Commission, once scheduled. This is typically about two weeks before the hearing.
The MIVEDA is designed to increase an application's chances of being considered by the Planning Commission sooner. The applicant may provide a written document on a form meeting the requirements of the City Commission’s MIVEDA Policy (as adopted December 4, 2018) detailing how the proposed facility will meet any or all of the following goals:
Local Residency
- Residency in Grand Rapids General Target Area
- Residency in City of Grand Rapids
- Residency in Kent County
- Residency in the State of Michigan
Local Economy
- Commitment to hire 15% or more of employees (30+ hours/week) who are Grand Rapids residents
- Commitment to 24% or more of MicroLBE participation
- Commitment to hire a minimum of 30 employees (30+ hours/week)
Streamlined Applications
- No sensitive use separation distance waivers are requested