Garden Remedies seeks move to 423 Lakeside Ave.; neighbors raise traffic and nuisance concerns

Garden Remedies Inc. asked the Marlborough City Council on Dec. 16 to amend its special permit so the company can relocate its retail cannabis establishment from 416 Boston Post Road East to 423 Lakeside Avenue (Route 20 West).

Attorney Brian Falk, appearing for the applicant, told the council Garden Remedies was Marlborough’s first retail cannabis business and has operated in the city since 2019. He said the company’s current store is about 3,000 square feet and the proposed site would be roughly 5,000 square feet, with separate entrances for employees and customers, opaque exterior windows and security measures required by the Cannabis Control Commission. “We’ve had a minimal impact on the community,” Falk said, and added the company enforces a “zero tolerance policy for consumption on-site or near the store.”

Supporters, including Michelle Mercier, identified as CEO and president of the Marlborough Regional Chamber of Commerce, and nearby business owner JP Gallagher, stressed Garden Remedies’ community involvement and contributions. Mercier said the business has been a chamber member for more than five years and called it “dedicated” to the community.

Several nearby residents spoke in opposition, citing proximity to homes and an elementary school, existing traffic and concerns about nuisance behavior at another dispensary. Christina Holman said the proposed location “is literally in my backyard” and questioned the need for multiple dispensaries within a short distance. Other residents described parking, late-night activity and trash problems they attribute to existing establishments.

Councilors pressed company representatives on operations and impacts. The applicant said average transactions are projected at about 18 per hour, with a typical transaction lasting roughly three minutes; current operations scan IDs, maintain exterior cameras and staff a security booth that monitors outdoor cameras. The applicants said they had conducted community outreach, attended a site-plan meeting and provided draft decision documents to the council.

Councilors also asked about the mix of clientele — the applicant estimated roughly 20% medical patients — parking sufficiency in a shared lot, and the potential for increased city tax revenue from higher sales. Several councilors said they want more detailed information when the item goes to committee, including clearer local revenue estimates and follow-up on tenant and traffic impacts.

The council closed the public hearing after testimony from proponents and opponents and placed the application in the Urban Affairs committee for further review and a formal recommendation.