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Planning Board schedules Nov. 4 public hearing on adult‑use cannabis zoning changes
Summary
The Townwells Planning Board voted to schedule a public hearing Nov. 4 on proposed zoning changes for adult‑use cannabis after staff presented traffic and parking data and members raised concerns about limits on the number of stores, drive‑thru sales and waste disposal.
The Townwells Planning Board voted unanimously Oct. 7 to schedule a public hearing Nov. 4 on proposed zoning changes that would regulate adult‑use cannabis retail in town.
At a review meeting, planning staff summarized additional materials from the applicant and outside models, including Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE) trip‑generation figures showing adult‑use retail generates higher peak hourly traffic than standard retail. "The traffic generation peak hourly rates are quite a bit more than a standard shopping center," staff said, arguing that higher parking requirements would be appropriate if the board moves ahead with the draft language.
Joel Pepin, who identified himself as "owner of JAR Consulting LLC, the applicant on the agenda," said he had provided traffic information and that he is not proposing cultivation or a full head‑shop style operation. "We're not a head shop style cannabis store," Pepin said; "Just minimal vaporizer battery hardware, but, no, we don't have a selection of glass hardware."
Board members asked technical and policy questions. One member asked whether the draft would permit up to three additional dispensaries or whether that limit would apply across categories; staff said the language should be tightened to prevent misreading. Another member pressed to prohibit drive‑through sales; a board member said drive‑through operations are "prohibited at the state level." Members also discussed rules for secure trash disposal of cannabis waste and whether the ordinance should prohibit on‑site consumption or sale of paraphernalia.
Planning staff recommended a public hearing to collect public input and evaluate the technical data before forwarding a recommendation to the selectboard. "I would definitely recommend having a public hearing," staff said, noting the zoning change requires the formal hearing process.
Member 3 moved to schedule the hearing for Nov. 4; the motion was seconded and approved unanimously.
Next steps include public notice of the hearing and submission of any additional technical comments the board requests on parking, trash disposal and the proposed numerical cap on dispensaries.
