El Dorado County Planning Commission to hear appeal on Meyers cannabis business

EL DORADO COUNTY, Calif. - The Planning Commission will hold a hearing on Thursday to consider two separate appeals to the County's earlier decision to award the single Meyers cannabis permit to Embarc Meyers LLC.

Charles Willett and his Tahoe Honey Company, and Charles Boldwyn have appealed the March 5 decision of the El Dorado County Planning and Building Department after they released the results of its Meyers Commercial Cannabis retail selection merit based scoring. In that scoring, the winning applicant Embarc received 20 points, Boldwyn 19 and Willett 16.

1. A score of 1 barely meets the minimum standards to be considered complete

2. A score of 2 marginally goes beyond minimum standards
3. A score of 3 exceeds minimum standards but is still an average plan
4. A score of 4 is greater than average but less than the best plan
5. A score of 5 is the best possible submittal

The scores:
Embarc- 20 points
Distance to a residence - 2
Security Plan - 4
Odor Control Plan - 5
Background Check - 5
Plan to prevent theft and access - 4

Charles Boldwyn - 19 points
Distance to a residence - 1
Security Plan - 5
Odor Control Plan - 3
Background Check - 5
Plan to prevent theft and access - 5

Tahoe Honey Company- 16 points
Distance to a residence - 3
Security Plan - 4
Odor Control Plan - 4
Background Check - 1
Plan to prevent theft and access - 4

According to appeals filed, Boldwyn is questioning the scores given to the applicants. He states the "distance to a residence" should be a 1 for Embarc due to being close to dormitory space used by Tallac Hot Shots. He outlines in his appeal his extensive odor control plan and complete application, both that gave Embarc higher scores.

Meyers businessman Greg Daum owns the building where Embarc would go. Until recently he owned the adjacent service station and was a member of the Meyers Advisory Council. The popular gym that was housed in this building did not have its month-to-month lease renewed and left. The cannabis dispensary will be going into that former space. This move brought much concern from the community. On the Embarc application Daum is listed as president, according to the appeal.

Local resident Joe King has written public comment letters for Thursday's meeting and been an active participant in the process. His letters outline what he says is a miscarriage of justice in awarding Embarc the lone cannabis permit.

According to the meeting agenda, staff is recommending the Planning Commission hear both appeals together and take the following action and deny the appeals and uphold the Planning & Building Department Director’s decision.

The 8:30 a.m. meeting (see agenda item here) will be held virtually. For instructions on how to participate, visit agenda here.