Currently in Bend
Reporter
It was a packed house at the Deschutes County Services building, to hear about the possibility of a Psilocybin service center at Juniper Preserve and Tuesday night was about the land use application through a hearings officer.
Land use applicants at Juniper Preserve, formerly Pronghorn Resort, provided information and testimony to a public hearings officer Tuesday night regarding a land use application to have a psilocybin service center at the central part of the resort.
The applicant requests a conditional use permit and site plan review to establish a psilocybin service center within the Juniper Preserve Destination Resort.
A land use application was received on August 8, 2023. The application was deemed incomplete and an incomplete letter was mailed on September 7, 2023. A response to the incomplete letter was received on January 26, 2024, prompting the public hearing.
It was a packed house at the Deschutes County Services building for the public hearing in which the applicants spoke first.
“All of the entire process of purchasing, consuming and experiencing the effects of psilocybin must take place on the licensed premises,” the applicants of Juniper Preserve Destination Resort said during a half-hour introductory period.
After the applicants spoke, those who were in favor of the service center were next, including doctors, lawyers, other manufacturers, those experiencing trauma, veterans, pro golfers and nature enthusiasts.
“Because of the enormous unmet need in our community, I believe that Deschutes County residents over the age of 21, per the law, should have the right to try psilocybin services should they choose to,” said one commentor.
“I believe so passionately in this. I enrolled in the Psilocybin Therapy Facilitator program, which I will graduate from next week,” said another.
Next to speak were those in opposition, who quickly pointed out that not a single public comment in favor of the center came from someone who lives in the resort. On the other hand, every commenter who was opposed resides within Juniper Preserve.
“If the applicant had been planning this for multiple years, why were we, the owners and the club members, not informed?” asked one opposed commenter.
“Not an if, but when something does go bad, and it will, what happens then?” asked another.
No final decision was made and written testimony will still be accepted for another week if you want your input on the record.
The final arguments from the applicant are on March 29. The public hearings officer has 30 days after that to make a decision.
Reporter
{{description}}
Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.
Currently in Bend
Your browser is out of date and potentially vulnerable to security risks.
We recommend switching to one of the following browsers: