Pendleton City Council denies appeals for cannabis retailer in Riverside neighborhood
By Griffin Beach on Wednesday, June 24th, 2026 in Columbia Basin News Columbia Basin Top Stories
PENDLETON – The Pendleton City Council has allowed a conditional use permit for a marijuana retail store at 406 NE Highway 11 to move forward after denying two appeals.
The application was submitted by Brandon Krenzler who plans to open an Oregon’s Finest store at the location. The brand currently opens two locations in Portland.
The two appeals against the permit were filed by Kind Leaf Pendleton and Ronald Hancock, who lists his address as the property adjacent to the site.
Hancock submitted a petition with 96 signatures from neighborhood residents. The petition cited concerns regarding traffic, public safety, disruptions to the neighborhood’s character, and potential exposure to children.
Kind Leaf’s appeal alleged that Krenzler’s application failed to prove compliance with a city requirement to “confine all objectionable odors to the premises.” The appeal also raised concerns about a nearby school bus stop.
“There are years worth of proof of substantial increased crime associated with all four [marijuana retailers in Pendleton],” Kind Leaf Managing Member Erin Purchase said. “I don’t believe that these types of locations fit into a residential community.”
City Planner Julie Chase told the council that the proposed store meets all local requirements for marijuana retailers, which served as the basis for the planning commission’s initial approval of the permit.
The council voted 5-1 to deny the appeals. Councilor Steve Campbell cast the dissenting vote, citing concerns about placing that type of business in a heavily residential area. Councilor John Thomas, who represents Ward 1 where the Riverside neighborhood is located, voted to deny the appeal but expressed reservations given the number of residents who signed the petition.
“There’s some people that definitely don’t want it, just like some people may not want a bar in their neighborhood.” Krenzler said. “We hope to be a positive presence in the neighborhood, and we will work hard to meet them in the middle and create a business that they can get behind.”
June 23 photo of 406 NE Hwy 11
