MANCHESTER — The Planning and Zoning Commission on Monday will hold a public hearing and discussion on a proposal to amend zoning regulations to allow the sale and cultivation of recreational marijuana in certain business zones in town.
The public hearing begins at 7 p.m. in-person at Lincoln Center and virtually.
If approved, the regulations could potentially open the door for marijuana establishments to fill some big box vacancies, and would add Manchester to the short list of north-central Connecticut towns willing to allow the sale and cultivation of marijuana within their borders.
“I think there is going to be a market for (cannabis) products. We’ve seen that from other states, especially when newer retailers open,” Director of Planning and Economic Development Gary Anderson said. “I would think that if a cannabis establishment opened here in Manchester, you’d see a demand for that.”
Possession and use of recreational marijuana for people age 21 and over became legal in the state on July 1, with the sale of cannabis expected to commence state-wide next year.
Every marijuana retailer or cultivator would be required to obtain a special permit, which Manchester refers to as a special exception. If granted a special exception, the marijuana establishment wouldn’t be allowed to open until the state starts handing out licenses next year.
Last month, Vernon PZC members approved regulations that would allow up to two marijuana establishments to open in town.
The state bill, titled “An Act Concerning Responsible And Equitable Regulation Of Adult-Use Cannabis,” permits municipalities to have one retailer or micro-cultivator for every 25,000 residents. Manchester would be eligible for two retailers and two micro-cultivators.
PZC Chairman Eric Prause said during an Oct. 4 workshop on recreational cannabis that the commission should be proactive in creating regulations, which would give Manchester a “competitive advantage,” according to the meeting’s minutes.
Anderson said that after having preliminary discussions with PZC members, town staff and the commission felt like it was prudent to create draft regulations sooner rather than later.
“A lot of places are kind of waiting to see how this shakes out,” Anderson said. “There are owners of this type of business that are interested in locating these facilities in Connecticut.”
The zoning regulation amendments would allow retailers and medical dispensaries to operate in the Comprehensive Urban Development or CUD zone and the General Business zone. Cultivators and micro-cultivators would be allowed to operate in CUD and industrial zones.
The amendments would also add definitions for “cannabis establishment” and related terms, taken from the state.
The CUD zone includes the town’s commercial and entertainment area around the Buckland Hills mall.
Anderson said this is the area where a cultivator could potentially repurpose one of the large empty buildings.
PZC member Michael Stebe said during the workshop that the commission should consider allowing a marijuana establishment in certain sections of the CUD zone because it has ample built-in parking. Stebe suggested the old Outback Steakhouse in the shopping plaza at 170 Hale Road because those areas are “having a hard time gaining tenants.”
General Business zones include many smaller retail zones, such as the ones on Tolland Turnpike and Spencer Street, Anderson said, But the General Business zone in the Buckland Hills area is one of the town’s larger economic areas.
The two main industrial zones are the Manchester Business Park and the Buckland Industrial Park.
Mayor Jay Moran said he has no problem with marijuana establishments opening in town as long as they are safe and abide by state regulations. State law allows municipalities to restrict an establishment’s proximity to certain institutions such as schools and religious institutions.
Resident Holly Fregin, 68, said she supports marijuana establishments in town because of the additional tax revenue those venues will generate. Municipalities can impose up to a 3% sales tax on recreational marijuana.
“For those of us who use it responsibly and enjoy (marijuana), I’m all for it,” Fregin said. “As long as you make sure it’s in an area where you’re not going to attract a bunch of kids or anything like that.”