P&Z to hold public hearing on dispensary regulations

The Planning and Zoning Commission will hold a public hearing on proposed zoning regulations for medical marijuana dispensaries and production facilities at their next meeting on Monday, Feb. 24, at 7 p.m. at Town Hall.During the commission’s meeting on Monday, Feb. 10, members reviewed draft regulations that were compiled by a subcommittee.The subcommittee is made up of Commission Chairman Michael Peacock, Vice Chairman Craig Sanden and commission member Art Melycher.The draft regulations were created in light of the commission’s rejection of a proposed dispensary at their meeting on Dec. 9.At the Dec. 9 meeting, a majority of members said the presence of a marijuana dispensary in town is not viable because the town’s zoning regulations are out of date.The draft regulations gives definitions of both a medical marijuana dispensary and a medical marijuana production facility.If approved, the draft regulations will allow the commission to grant a special permit to a dispensary or a facility under the “commercial districts” section of the town’s zoning codes.Any applicant of a special permit for the town will need to obtain an appropriate dispensary or facility permit from the state’s Department of Consumer Protection.Under the draft regulations, before a special permit is granted the commission will consider the proximity of the proposed dispensary or facility to schools, churches, public buildings, parks and other places of public gatherings.At the Feb. 10 meeting, Town Manager Dale Martin said he would forward a copy of the draft regulations to Town Attorney Kevin Nelligan to review, along with a land use attorney.Commission member Barbara Wilkes, who at a previous meeting criticized the town for not updating its zoning codes for many years, complimented members of the subcommittee for the new proposed codes.“I think you did a spectacular job on the regulations,” Wilkes said. “I think you picked out the best parts of the other regulations from surrounding towns. They have already gone forward with their regulations.”“I felt very comfortable with drafting these regulations,” Peacock said. “The only uncomfortable thing I felt in writing them is that our regulations are so convoluted that I had to put the draft regulations in wherever they could fit into our current regulations. Ideally, when we are finished with these regulations, we will have a supplemental regulation section. Most towns have this because if you ever have to come up with something new you don’t have to plug it into existing regulations, you can just put it into the supplemental regulations instead. It makes things so much easier.”Wilkes said the town should examine the way Bristol compiles their zoning regulations.“Their regulations are so orderly it’s almost beautiful,” Wilkes said. “You can’t have a mish mash of flipping to page six when you are reading page 84.”“Because they have the money,” Peacock told Wilkes. “They can get things done.”The original proposal for the marijuana dispensary was made by representatives of the Nutmeg State Health and Wellness Center at a meeting in November.The company proposed converting a former KFC restaurant on New Hartford Road into a state-licensed medical marijuana dispensary.After the Feb. 10 meeting, company President James Dietz said he is happy that the commission is moving forward with the draft regulations.“I think it is positive,” Dietz said. “It sounds like there is nothing in the draft regulations that will preclude the location we have already selected. In other towns the regulations are much more strict and dispensaries are limited to industrial zones.”On Jan 28, the state announced the approval of licenses for four medical marijuana dispensaries: Advanced Grow Labs in West Haven; Pharmaceutical Solutions in Portland; Curaleaf in Simsbury; and Theraplant in Watertown.Dietz said the state will announce more license approvals in April.“It’s down to the wire, but we might be in a good place,” Dietz said.To view the proposed medical marijuana dispensary and facilities draft zoning regulations go to www.tricornernews.com.

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