Cannabis delivery hub at 70 Wilbur Street continued after board requests 1,000‑foot context map

The Lowell Planning Board continued consideration of a site-plan application Thursday from Boston Bud Runners LLC to operate a cannabis delivery business at 70 Wilbur Street, Unit 1B, and asked the applicant to supply a context map showing properties and land uses within a 1,000‑foot radius.

Catherine Welk, an attorney with Foster, Walker & DeMarco, told the board the unit is in an existing three‑story industrial building; the operator plans a small receiving area on the first floor (about 286 square feet) and a climate‑controlled vault for inventory. She said no product would be exchanged outside, the business would be cashless and deliveries would be prepaid online. Initial staffing was described as three employees on site with two delivery drivers; the proposed operating hours end at 9 p.m.

Welk described security measures including full video coverage, intrusion and panic alarms, seed‑to‑sale tracking, and a direct notification link to the Lowell Police Department. The applicant said the lease includes four parking spaces: three for staff and one for the loading bay; the operator said one delivery vehicle would be parked in the indoor bay during operation and another outside, and that vehicles would not be externally marked. The applicant noted it previously reached provisional approval in another municipality but had not begun operations there.

Board members and staff raised procedural and substantive questions. Several members said the board needs a map demonstrating whether the proposed location falls within a restricted 1,000‑foot radius to schools, daycare facilities or other cannabis establishments; the applicant acknowledged failing to submit that map and agreed to provide it. The Lowell Police Department had reviewed and conditionally approved the security plan two days before the hearing, according to the applicant.

Other questions addressed waste handling, odor mitigation and vehicle staffing. The applicant said damaged or open packages would be rejected and returned to the supplier on the delivery vehicle; seed‑to‑sale tracking would document all inventory movements. Board members suggested adding a condition requiring the applicant to submit an odor‑mitigation plan if neighbors later report problems.

On the record, a board member moved to continue the matter to the board’s Oct. 6 meeting so staff could review the missing context map and other outstanding materials; the motion carried by voice vote.