Dr. David Kay
Owner, West Coast Wound
8/4/2023
Fresno City Council
2600 Fresno St
Fresno, CA 93721
Subject: Support for Yuma Way CA LLC's Application for Opening a Cannabis Establishment at 4555 E Kings Canyon Rd, Fresno CA
Dear Members of the Fresno City Council,
I hope this letter finds you in good health and high spirits. I am writing to express my wholehearted support for Yuma Way CA LLC's application to open a cannabis establishment in Fresno. As the owner of a local business, West Coast Wound, and having known Jessica Reuven, the owner of Yuma Way CA LLC, for the past 7 years, I am confident that her company will be an invaluable addition to our community.
Over the years, I have had the privilege of observing Jessica's dedication to professionalism and responsibility in her business ventures. Under her leadership, Yuma Way CA LLC is bound to act as a responsible corporate citizen and a true industry leader. What particularly impresses me is the company's unwavering commitment to the medicinal aspects of cannabis, their focus on cannabis education, and their pioneering efforts in microdosing techniques. This approach showcases their dedication to advancing the understanding and benefits of cannabis for therapeutic purposes.
Furthermore, I am reassured by Yuma Way CA LLC's emphasis on preventing the diversion of cannabis to minors. Their proactive measures to ensure that their products remain out of the hands of underage individuals underscore their commitment to the welfare of our community's youth. This approach aligns perfectly with the values we hold dear in Fresno.
Having interacted with Jessica on various occasions, I can attest to her being an involved and caring member of our community. Her passion for philanthropic endeavors is contagious, and I am confident that this passion will extend to improving the lives of Fresno residents. With Jessica at the helm, Yuma Way CA LLC will undoubtedly contribute positively to our local landscape.
In conclusion, I firmly believe that allowing Yuma Way CA LLC to establish a cannabis establishment in Fresno will be a decision that enhances our community in numerous ways. Their dedication to medicinal applications, education, responsible practices, and community involvement sets an example that others in the industry can follow. I wholeheartedly urge the Fresno City Council to approve their application and welcome Yuma Way CA LLC into our city with open arms.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Dr. David Kay
Owner, West Coast Wound
Michael Kennedy
Senior Vice President
Retail California
August 3, 2023
Fresno City Council 2600 Fresno St Fresno, CA 93721
Subject: Urgent Request for Approval of Cannabis Use at 4555 E. Kings Canyon Rd Dear Honorable Members of the Fresno City Council,
I hope this letter finds you in good health and high spirits. I couldn’t be here in person today but felt it was important to express my sincere support for the proposed cannabis use at 4555 E Kings Canyon Blvd and to urge the council's approval of this vital project.
I put this property on the market for sale on October 1, 2022, shortly after the previous Tenant vacated the building. When I first visited the property, it was in pretty good shape for a 40+ year old building that’s was operated as a Wendy’s, then various other restaurants. About a month later I went to the property again and saw significant graffiti and vandalism including a broken front window. When I went to open the door, I heard a dog barking inside. I went in and there was a vagrant running out the back door.
Thankfully, he hadn’t been there long and there was no apparent damage in the building, on this instance.
Over time, while marketing the property, with very little real interest from prospective buyers, I would go there to check things out and every time there was more vandalism and more graffiti. Let’s fast forward to the current buyer’s initial visit to the property to start their inspections, which occurred on or about February 8, 2023. I received a call from their agent saying they were canceling their inspections because of the condition of the property. I was not at the inspection but saw what they found later, which included: loose electrical wires, holes in the roof (caused by vagrants to enter the property), the ceiling torn apart, holes in the walls, and a ton of trash and debris throughout the building, none of which were present at any of my previous visits to the property. It was clear there were people living in the building again. Please keep in mind the building was alarmed and had a fence around it. Didn’t matter. The total cost to get the building as close to its previous condition as possible was about $50,000. Since the
repairs were completed the owner of the property has had private security posted at the property from night fall to sunrise spending thousands of dollars per month to do so.
The property located at 4555 E Kings Canyon Blvd has been a blight on this neighborhood since it was vacated and it’s clear it will only get worse. It has suffered from vandalism, and criminal activity for an extended period, resulting in a significant decline in the quality of life for residents in the surrounding neighborhood. These issues have not only cast a negative light on the area but have also created obstacles in our attempts to sell the property. Prospective buyers have been deterred by the high crime rate and the difficulty of controlling the site's security.
However, the proposal to renovate this property by the current buyer presents a unique opportunity to transform the property from a burden to an asset. The implementation of a well-regulated cannabis establishment will not only bring a new sense of purpose to the site but also introduce essential measures for security and control. The introduction of twenty-four-hour surveillance and regular patrols will greatly enhance the safety of the neighborhood, helping to curtail criminal activity and restore the community's sense of security.
Moreover, the establishment of a new, well-maintained building will contribute to the aesthetic improvement of the area. This positive change will extend beyond the property itself, enhancing the overall appeal of the neighborhood and ultimately leading to an increase in property values and hopefully encourage others to invest in other similar buildings nearby. The infusion of new life into this dilapidated property will benefit the entire community, fostering a sense of pride and ownership among residents.
It is crucial to recognize the potential benefits that a properly managed cannabis establishment can bring to our neighborhood. This is an opportunity to revitalize a troubled property, rejuvenate the community, and contribute to the city's economic growth. The measures in place to ensure security and regulation should address any concerns related to the history of crime in the area.
In conclusion, I earnestly urge the Fresno City Council to grant approval for the proposed cannabis use at 4555 E Kings Canyon Blvd. This decision has the potential to spark positive change, not only by transforming a blighted property but by uplifting the entire neighborhood. I trust that you will make the make the right choice for the future of our community.
Thank you for your time and consideration.