ENID, Okla. — An abatement notice has been issued for a defunct marijuana grow operation off U.S. 412 on the east side of town.
According to the abatement notice, the property owner, Amenda Ploeger, has until June 21, 2024, to clean up the property.
The old, planned cannabis grow operation, formerly the home of Lucky Flower Farms, located at 3223 E. Randolph, has been called an eyesore by residents and local leaders due to the dilapidated nature of the property.
There have been concerns about the property’s aesthetics and proximity to the east side gateway to Enid since 2019.
The abatement notice references the state of the greenhouses as one of the key issues with the property.
Local leaders believe cleaning up the property is critical to Enid’s image as the property lies on the outskirts of town, making itself visible to visitors coming from the east.
“Franky, it’s an eyesore. It has been an eyesore for a long time,” Enid City Manager Jerald Gilbert said. “It’s been an objective of the city council for quite a while to resolve that issue, and the city is taking proactive steps now.”
Jon Blankenship, president of Greater Enid Chamber of Commerce, believes cleaning up the property is a step in the right direction.
“I fully support it, it’s a terrible eyesore for our city and a very visible gateway entry point for Enid,” said Blankenship. “It definitely needs to be eliminated and cleaned up.”
Blankenship isn’t sure if the current state of the property is marketable if the owner was to try to sell it.
“In order for it to be marketed properly, it definitely needs to be cleaned up, and it looks like, with its location, it could be a good opportunity for some future business,” Blankenship said.
According to Gilbert, the city has been working with Ploeger to remediate the property. Gilbert said Ploeger has been cooperative and willing to clean up the property. However, due to outside circumstances, it hasn’t happened.
“(Ploeger) has always been willing to clean it up, unfortunately, it just hasn’t happened,” said Gilbert. “But we’ve run out of time and patience, therefore it’s got the nuisance letter.”
If the property isn’t cleaned up by the deadline, Gilbert said the city will have to step in. To recuperate the cost of the cleanup, Gilbert said the city likely would put a lien on the property.
“Everybody will feel much better about that entryway into the city,” Gilbert said.
Be the first to comment