Malden council approves amended special permit for Trinity Naturals at 36 Charles St., 10-0

The Malden City Council on Feb. 4 unanimously approved an amendment to the special permit for a retail marijuana business at 36 Charles St., allowing a revised floor plan that increases the size of the premises and a storage vault, the council recorded in a 10-0 roll-call vote.

The approval followed a public hearing in which the petitioners acknowledged construction proceeded before a required amendment was filed and apologized. Attorney Roberto DeMarco, representing DMS Trinity LLC d/b/a Trinity Naturals, said, “We made the error. We take full responsibility for that error,” and asked the council to accept the amendment so the project could proceed.

The council’s vote adopts the planning board’s recommendation and its conditions. The planning board had recommended approval subject to 20 conditions; DeMarco told the council his client did not contest those conditions and considered them reasonable. The council also discussed parking arrangements, security, and a potential bike-path connection through or adjacent to the site.

During the hearing, DeMarco described operational practices at Trinity’s Chelsea location to explain traffic expectations and security measures. He said the Chelsea store, which has operated about a year, “has never had more than 9 spots taken up,” characterizing the business as largely “in and out.” He also said the applicant proposed purchasing two-hour parking permits at a nearby CBD garage and had been pursuing other parking options.

Several councilors pressed the applicants on community engagement for the bike-path connection and public access. Councillor Peg Crowe, the ward councillor for the area, said she supports the permit because the vault enlargement improves safety but asked for fuller discussion and participation by the ward councillor on any bike-path plans. DeMarco and a representative said they were willing to work with the city and to develop a memorandum of understanding with Councillor Crowe.

The council also heard written opposition from nearby property owners and a representative of Stop & Shop raising concerns about parking and prior deviations from special-permit conditions; the clerk read those comments into the record. The council required applicants to comply with conditions set by the planning board and emphasized continued coordination with city departments and neighborhood representatives.

At the council’s request, DeMarco and operators present explained ownership structure and funding: outside lenders provided loans but were not owners and do not hold ownership rights. DeMarco said loan investors would have only repayment rights and not a licensee status under the state cannabis regulations.

The council’s roll call on the final motion—“approve the special permit amendment as presented and adopt the planning board’s conditions”—recorded affirmative votes from Councilors Colon Hayes, Condon, Crow, Linehan, McDonald, Simonelli, Spadafore, Taylor, Winslow and Council President O’Malley.

The applicants said they hope to open in the spring, contingent on completing the outstanding state and local steps including the community host agreement and any additional hearings required by state regulators.

Votes at a glance: approve amendment to special permit CMID 040598-2021 for 36 Charles St.; recorded 10–0 in favor.