Yamhill County marijuana facility foe files appeal

NEWBERG, Ore. (AP) -- The main opponent of a controversial proposed hemp and marijuana processing facility near Newberg is filing an appeal.

The owners of the 22.7-acre property  want to grow 5-10 acres of hemp on the property, grow up to 10,000 square feet of marijuana indoors, and process both in separate buildings.

Laura Cochran lives next door to the property and has opposed the planned use since it started, voicing numerous concerns.

Her primary argument is that the facility would harm her “adult autistic son who is highly disabled and hypersensitive to noise and odor.”

The Yamhill County Planning Director said they have not officially received the document yet, but have been in contact with Cochran’s attorney. Right now, the county hopes the appeal will come in soon, so they can send out a notice 20 days before the next Board of Commissioners hearing on January 9.

Other neighbors have banded together over the past few months, citing livability, water usage, traffic, possible chemical usage, a potential increase in crime and more in their efforts to convince the commission to deny the application.

The Planning and Development Commission ultimately approved the facility’s site design review at its meeting on December 5.