Coventry adopts amended retail cannabis ordinance with new buffer for places of worship
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Summary
Following a public hearing and amendments, the Coventry Town Council approved a retail cannabis ordinance that limits retail cannabis to General Business zones, sets conservative operational controls (indoor sales, odor control, restricted hours) and applies a 200‑foot buffer from residential zones and places of worship after amendment.
Coventry — The Coventry Town Council adopted an amended ordinance on Jan. 13 that establishes local rules for retail cannabis sales, including zoning, buffer distances and operating controls.
Planning Director Doug McClain told the council the ordinance responds to voter direction to permit retail cannabis while creating a conservative local regulatory framework. "This hearing and the vote tonight, I believe, is your final action to establish this as law," McClain said, summarizing the draft code and how it fits state licensing timelines.
Key provisions adopted include limiting retail cannabis to the town’s General Business (GB) zones, indoor sales only with required odor control, no on‑site consumption, no outdoor displays and initial hours of operation conservatively capped at 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. The draft also imposed layered setbacks: 200 feet from any residential zoning district and, after an amendment, 200 feet from places of worship. The council’s revision narrowed from a larger, original buffer and removed a separate 500‑foot restriction for churches.
During a lengthy public‑comment period, supporters and applicants described the ordinance as cautious and business‑friendly; developer and petitioner Joe Bruce emphasized the town’s chosen GB locations and conservative buffers. Attorney Dane Ardente, representing an applicant, asked the council to reduce an earlier 500‑foot restriction from places of worship to 200 feet so viable commercial sites would remain eligible; the council accepted an amendment that added places of worship to the 200‑foot separation requirement.
Security and traffic concerns were raised by residents and planning staff; Darren Delaney, a former state police captain working as a security consultant for an applicant, described security and traffic planning practices for retail dispensaries and said plans would be coordinated with local law enforcement.
The council voted on the ordinance as amended and carried the measure. The ordinance also anticipates an annual municipal excise (3% mentioned in the presentation) and makes implementation subject to the state Cannabis Control Commission’s licensing and timing. The council’s solicitor advised caution about substantive last‑minute changes and recommended continuing if amendments proved substantial; the council proceeded with a narrowly targeted amendment and a final vote the same evening.
The ordinance establishes local land‑use and operational rules that will shape which applicants may proceed under the state licensing process and how the town enforces operational standards.