Despite disagreement from those interested in the historical integrity of the West Side Fire Station, Kent City Council voted to move forward with plans to change out its current flat roof for a peaked one.
The decision to update the station on North Mantua Street is a year in the making, City Manager Dave Ruller told city council last week. Staff manning the project had to address three aspects during planning: historical value, stewardship of public dollars and functional value of the structure to the people housed inside it.
The prominent issue was related to the historical accuracy of the update, specifically plans for the building’s historically flat roof. Though city administration continues to be mindful of historic preservation and have advocated such in the past, Ruller said, more than just that had to be considered.
A medical marijuana company has begun steps to open a dispensary on the west side of Kent and will go before the city s Planning Commission tonight seeking a site plan review and a conditional zoning certificate.
Buckeye Relief, is a level I medical marijuana cultivator and processor based in Eastlake. While its products can be found in dispensaries across the state, Caroline Henry, Buckeye Relief s government affairs director, said the company is interesting in opening its own facility at 1181 W. Main St.
Henry said the spot is ideal because of its spacious building and ample parking. She said that clientele sometimes have a hard time finding parking around dispensaries and, because many of the people using dispensaries are disabled, more parking is always good.