Drive thru medical marijuana dispensary coming to McKnight Road

ROSS TOWNSHIP, Pa. — The old Aaron’s along McKnight Road, just south of the Siebert Road intersection, is slated to become the second medical marijuana dispensary along McKnight Road. It’ll be the first in the area with a drive-thru.

Agronomed Biologics was conditionally approved to move into the site by the Ross Township Board of Commissioners and the township’s zoning board.

“There weren’t really any concerns expressed by the board of commissioners,” president of the board Dan DeMarco tells Channel 11. “They met all the legal requirements. Their presentation was impressive and they’re extremely strict with security.”

Some neighbors who live on the street above the location say it’s too close to Ross Elementary School and their homes. It’s just short of the required 300-foot minimum distance from a residential area.

“The building or structure would have to be 300 feet or more,” DeMarco adds. “They are 290 feet.”

The zoning board granted a variance, essentially saying that distance is a minimal amount. DeMarco points out a nearly vertical rock cliff separates the site of the dispensary from nearby neighborhoods.

Ed Seiler is the Civic Association President of McKnight Village, the neighborhood above the site, and says he feels indifferent.

“I don’t think it’s going to have a positive impact on the neighborhood, but I don’t think it will have negative impact either,” Seiler tells Channel 11. “It’s not like it’s going to be up here on one of the streets.”

Seiler says he does understand where some families with young kids are coming from.

“I think if you have children, you worry about the accessibility of marijuana becoming more prevalent,” Sieler adds. “But I think that’s a trend that has taken a hold, and the fact that there will be a medical marijuana dispensary doesn’t add to that.”

As for those concerned about traffic, DeMarco say the dispensary is only projecting five cars in the drive-thru per hour and will submit traffic plans.

“There’s a heck of a lot of commercial businesses with a heck of a lot more traffic coming in and out than five vehicles an hour,” DeMarco continues.

The next step is for the medical marijuana company to submit their plans for what the site will look like. Once submitted, the Board of Commissioners will vote on the final plan.

We reached out to Agronomed Biologics, but they did not get back to us.

New medical marijuana dispensary opens on Pittsburgh’s South Side

©2022 Cox Media Group