Medical marijuana dispensary proposed for old PNC Bank in Pleasant Hills

An old PNC Bank in Pleasant Hills may be transformed into a medical marijuana dispensary.

Ethos Cannabis, a Philadelphia-based firm with two production centers and about a dozen retail locations in the country including six in Pennsylvania, wants to open its next shop at 560 Clairton Blvd.

Council listened to a presentation by Ethos vice president Alex Chadwick and other members of his team Jan. 18.

“This is a good location,” Chadwick said. “We plan to be there for the long term.”

The proposed building is a little less than 3,000 square feet with 54 parking spaces in the lot. It would be next to Great Clips, H&R Block and Mariner Finance.

There was a lot of discussion about pedestrian safety with people getting off a bus in the northbound lane of Route 51 and crossing the busy state road to get to the shop.

Chadwick said he plans to have a shuttle for employees and not for patrons. He noted other businesses in the area do not provide shuttles for customers.

Borough officials also were concerned about traffic flow around the building and zeroed in on the use of a guard or lot attendant “as necessary.”

Chadwick said he would agree to have an attendant at all times of operation if it would help move the project forward.

Plans also indicated all existing signage would be replaced or updated including additional signs throughout the lot to better direct traffic.

Chadwick noted several times that his business was a permitted use in the commercial district, and urged council to vote that evening.

Borough solicitor Fred Jug Jr. suggested some type of developer’s agreement would help ease council’s safety concerns and provide assurances to both the borough and Ethos.

“Your business is welcomed in the borough,” he said.

Chadwick replied he would be open to a possible agreement, and pledged to be a part of the community.

“I give you my word that we’re going to do what we say we’re going to do,” Chadwick said. “This is not just about getting this approval. We’re going to be members of the community there, and we certainly want to be in the community’s good graces.”

Council eventually tabled taking action on Ethos’ development plans for more discussion.

“Our whole goal as council is to make sure our residents live in a safe community, and that all our guests are safe,” council president Cheryl Freedman said. “It doesn’t matter if you’re just passing through down (Route) 51. You’re considered a guest in our community. That’s a big concern down there with people crossing that highway. It’s a very small parking lot with lots of traffic.

Freedman said her colleagues share the same safety concerns about Ethos’ patients.

“If somebody seeks medical marijuana, they have an illness,” Freedman said. “You’re not on your mark with illnesses, and that’s what worries me. The southbound bus stop is right in front of the building, which is nice and there’s a light there. It’s the northbound (stop that’s a problem).

“If you have traffic in and out, it’s a recipe for disaster. That’s our big concern. We welcome businesses. We don’t want to tell people that they can’t come in.”

Council plans to vote on the plan at its Feb. 16 meeting.