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HUDSON – Marijuana overlay district could expand.
On May 15, the Board of Selectmen heard about a potential expansion of a marijuana overlay district to establish a marijuana dispensary at 234 Washington Street at the former Brad Daly’s site.
Christopher Bacon, who represents Bacon Wines and Spirits, said at the board election that there is an 1,800-square-foot vacant lot next to the store. The plan is to dedicate that space to cannabis-based retail.
Executive Director Thomas Gregory said there is currently an overlay district for marijuana distribution and an extension of the current district would need to be created, which would “require a zoning change, a zoning amendment at Town Meeting.”
According to Gregorios, the petition to propose such a change could come from the landowner, the board of selectmen or a group of residents.
Select Board member Michael Burks questioned whether passing such a zoning change would allow other parties to have similar businesses in the expanded district.
“The zoning amendment affects all parcels,” Gregory said.
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A week before the meeting, he and Christina Johnson, the city’s director of planning and community development, talked to Bacon about what the proposed overlay district would look like if it were to become a hypothesis.
Johnson said the areas being discussed on the zoning maps are C-6 and C-11, which are located around Washington Street.
She said that they are the same regarding the usage instructions and highlighted them together as a starting point for discussion.
According to Johnson, Hudson approached the retail license using state law. The city In the 2016 referendum on marijuana distribution, she said there are requirements for retail consideration. If a cannabis-based business were to continue at that location, there would be a formal permitting process with the city, Johnson said.
Burks, who was police chief when the retail establishments were approved in 2018, said at first no one knew what would happen with the referendum. Check out what places in Colorado are doing when it comes to marijuana-based businesses and follow their example.
Burks added: “My concern is that if we can allow one, we can’t stop the others.”
Chairman Scott Duplicia said there was a cautious approach to allowing cannabis establishments in the city and “it’s been done so far.”
However, Duplicea said, “For me, I really need to look at it, get more information and also hear from the attackers and the public.”
At Hudson, Johnson said a more proactive approach was taken to limit the geographic location of facilities.
Duplisea stated that more information needs to be gathered. He said that the discussion by the Election Board is only a starting point. Along the way, the board will ask for more information and look to the Planning Board for direction.
“At some point, we have to review this and decide what to recommend,” Duplisea said.
Member Shawn Sadowski said he would like to see a traffic and parking study in the area. He asked if there was a way to limit the size of cannabis-based establishments.
Director of Public and Community Health Lauren Antonelli said the Board of Health is implementing some regulations related to marijuana.
She believes that caps can be placed on retail marijuana businesses as they can be done with tobacco retailers. Finally, there are drafts that will be discussed at the June meeting, Antonelli said.
“That’s definitely something they’re moving forward with,” she said.
Antonelli said there are many alcohol and tobacco retailers in the city in addition to marijuana retailers, and there is a health impact on youth to consider. Studies have shown that the amount of distribution of these products affects the level of use among young people.
She added, “We would be happy to discuss this topic with the select board or anyone else.”
Duplicea asked what the next step would be if the extension to the overlay district moves forward. Gregory said the board may take advice on whether to sponsor a zoning amendment. If this is not the will of the Board of Elections, RK Realty will have to file a writ or a citizen’s petition signed by 100 people can be filed.
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