Skowhegan planning board tables appeal for medical cannabis grow at 667 Waterville Road

At its second February meeting the Skowhegan Planning Board voted to table an appeal from applicant Albert Kang seeking approval for a medical cannabis cultivation facility at 667 Waterville Road until the town’s police chief provides a security review.

Kang, who identified himself to the board as the applicant, told the board his tenant received approval from the state Office of Cannabis Policy (OCP) and began cultivating last year. He said early conversations with a previous code enforcement officer, Brian Bellaville, led him to believe the location was allowable under local rules. “We managed to talk to Brian Bellaville. At that time, he was the code enforcement officer. He says that depending on the location from the town, it is we can, grow medical marijuana,” Kang said.

The board’s concern centers on whether local site-plan requirements apply. Town staff and board members said the town’s site plan ordinance is triggered once an operation’s total business footprint exceeds 5,000 square feet. Kang and staff gave different but overlapping estimates of…