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06/07/2022 01:00 PMA special exception application has been filed by Fine Fettle Dispensary to open a cannabis dispensary at 233 Boston Post Road. The application will be on land use commission agendas later this summer.
Last month the Zoning Commission (ZC) passed new regulations that effectively banned retail marijuana stores everywhere except for the B-4 district as well as restricted it to businesses that received approval from the town before January 2022. Only two businesses received such approval, one being Fine Fettle.
Per a statement of use from the applicant, “As depicted on the preliminary floor plans, the dispensary will comprise approximately 4,000 square feet of retail area, including the area previously approved for medical sales,” approximately 2,600 square feet.
The document also stated, “Operationally, the applicant anticipates approximately 15 to 23 employees will be on site during the hours of operation (Sunday to Saturday [from] 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.” The applicant said that deliveries will be made in vans and anticipated no tractor trailer deliveries. A comprehensive security system would also be put in place.
Old Saybrook land use officials said that because the application is a special exception, it would require a public hearing. The tentative schedule is for the application to go before the Architectural Review Board on Wednesday, June 22, the Planning Commission on Wednesday, July 6, and the ZC on Monday, July 18.
Last year, Connecticut legislators passed a bill that legalized recreational marijuana use by adults in the state. The bill left it up to local municipalities to control its sale in each town. Due to restrictions from the state, Old Saybrook would be limited to only one retail establishment until 2024 because of its population. If a retail cannabis shop is allowed in town, Old Saybrook would receive a three percent tax from all sales.
In Old Saybrook, the ZC opted to enact a moratorium in October 2021 that expired at the end of May. Town Planner and Zoning Enforcement Officer Chris Costa explained to the Harbor News at the time that having a moratorium in place would prevent any applicants from applying to change the zoning or apply to open a retail cannabis store while the commission took time to further study the issue. The new regulations were passed at a meeting in early May.
Fine Fettle COO Ben Zachs told the Harbor News that the company operates 3 of the 18 medical dispensaries currently in the state and reiterated a commitment to safety.
“This is not our first rodeo. Our facilities are incredibly safe and secure we have our operation set to what we’re comfortable doing,” said Zachs.