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Council okays modified hours for Sanctuary Medicinals, requires police‑determined lighting
Summary
The Woburn City Council granted a minor modification to Sanctuary Medicinals’ special permit, extending daily opening to 8 a.m. with a 10 p.m. closing time and adding a condition that the police department specify required lighting for the rear parking area.
The Woburn City Council on June 4 approved a minor modification to the special permit for Sanctuary Medicinals Inc., changing hours of operation to 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., Monday through Sunday, and adding a requirement that the police department determine lighting for the back parking area.
Attorney James Giuliano, representing the petitioner, said the modification would amend prior special permits issued in 2018 and 2023 and asked the council to allow the earlier opening hour while keeping the existing 10 p.m. closing. “We are looking to keep the original time in the night, but extend it two hours in the morning, Monday through Sunday,” Giuliano said.
Councilor Bowen said she had consulted with Chief Ruffo and remained concerned about any midnight allowance; Bowen supported the compromise to extend morning hours while stopping short of later-night operations. “I was very concerned about going to midnight... it seemed to be a good compromise to let them extend their hours in the morning,” she said. Councilor D'Amambro and others requested that any new lighting be dark‑sky compliant to avoid shining into nearby apartment windows.
Councilor Marissa Bruin moved to grant the minor modification with the hours set at 8 a.m.–10 p.m. and an additional condition that lighting be installed at the rear of the building in an amount to be determined by the police department. The motion was seconded and approved by voice vote. The council did not record a roll-call tally in the transcript; the motion was announced as passed with all responding 'Aye.'
The amendment leaves the permit’s other conditions in place and requires the petitioner to coordinate with the police department on lighting specifications before the change takes effect. Attorney Giuliano said the petitioner would work with the city on lighting and is amenable to dark-sky fixtures if that is the council’s direction.
Next steps: the modification takes effect subject to the added condition on lighting; the police department will specify the lighting requirements and the petitioner must comply to maintain the revised hours.
