After an approved permit, Factoria could play host to Bellevue’s newest marijuana retail store.

Green Theory Factoria is in the permitting process for a plot of land directly behind the Factoria McDonalds, at 12827 Southeast 40th Place.

The planned shop would be the second location for Green Theory, the oldest marijuana retailer in Bellevue with a location at 10697 Main Street. The applicant stated the name of the store would be Green Grotto.

This comes on the tail of Bellevue City Council putting a limit on how many marijuana co-operatives and research marijuana establishments are allowed in Bellevue’s neighborhoods, as well as a later cap on marijuana retailers.

Robert Miller, the applicant contact for Green Theory Factoria, said the requirements had changed half-way through the permitting process.

“The process is pretty lengthy and there has been a transition in the number of locations allowed in the city,” he said. “The nature of the business means there has been some public concern, and we are going beyond what was required to try to make this as smooth as possible.”

The co-op and research limiting ordinance passed council in June. The ordinance placed a six-month temporary restriction on medical marijuana co-operatives, marijuana research and imposed civil penalties and abatements for violations of certain provisions.

The other ordinance was an interim zoning control limiting one marijuana retailer each to Bel-Red, Crossroads, Eastgate, Factoria and Wilburton — neighborhoods zoned for commercial development and where a marijuana retailer would have as little impact as possible.

A previous application for the spot found that it was within 1,000 feet of Puesta Del Sol Elementary School, which caused the applicant to withdraw the application. This most recent application will subdivide the .39 acre property into two units, with the marijuana retailer located on the more distant location.

A Bellevue Land Use Code states that all marijuana uses within the city be separated by 1,000 feet from elementary or secondary schools, playgrounds, recreation centers, child care centers, public parks, public transit centers, libraries and game arcades. Only a few spots in the city meet all those requirements, and the Factoria location only by subdividing.

While many commercial businesses exist within 1,000 feet of the proposed lot, including daycares and tutoring services, none are state-certified.

A report from Bellevue police states that similar marijuana retailers do not change crime rates in the area, and no store in Bellevue has failed a sting operation to expose underage buyers.

Some road widening work and vegetation removal would have to be undertaken to increase visibility for motorists, but the buildings on the property will remain unchanged on their exteriors.

There is an appeal period for the project, running through Sept. 8.