Jason Smith seeks planning approval to move Lisbon cannabis shop to 743 Lisbon Street; public hearing set for April 9

Jason Smith, the owner of the existing Lisbon cannabis business, told the Lisbon Falls Planning Board he is seeking site-plan approval to move his shop from 5 Canal Street into a new building at 743 Lisbon Street and asked the board to schedule a public hearing.

Smith said the proposed building is about 4,000 square feet and that the initial phase would occupy roughly 2,000 square feet so he can "get out as soon as possible," with the second 2,000-square-foot portion added later if all goes well. "It's just gonna be moving the current Lisbon cannabis spot where it's at 5 Canal Street," Smith said, adding he wants to "get my own building in" to avoid ongoing disputes at the current site.

Planning staff described the application as complete. Mark, the town planning/code staff member, told the board the application had been reviewed and found complete for scheduling. Planning-board member Carney moved that the board find the application complete and schedule a public hearing at the board's next date, which the mover identified as April 9; the motion was seconded and approved by voice vote.

Board members asked clarifying questions about the proposed use mix and timing. Smith said the current operation is medical-only and that he is weighing whether to add recreational sales; he indicated the business does not grow product on-site. Board members also discussed the site's past uses (the old gypsum mill) and prior conceptual plans for larger grow buildings that are no longer part of the current proposal.

Next steps: the board entered the application as complete and set a public hearing for April 9 to take public testimony and consider the site plan. The board did not take a final approval vote on the site plan at this meeting.