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Charlemont planners discuss state-model marijuana preference language and ADU bylaw wording
Summary
The Planning Board reviewed state-provided options for marijuana licensing intended to give a leg up to those harmed by past marijuana laws and discussed adopting annotated ADU bylaw language (900 sq ft or half the dwelling) for next year; members agreed to seek Town Counsel guidance before proposing changes to voters.
The Charlemont Planning Board on Nov. 6 discussed adopting state-modeled bylaw language to provide preference in marijuana licensing to people the state identifies as disadvantaged by past marijuana laws, and reviewed accessory dwelling unit (ADU) language for inclusion in next year’s bylaws.
Bob Nelson said the state reading for marijuana applicants looked like a usable template and suggested the town could add the language exactly as written for three years before removing it. Board member Lori Shulda-Merrigan said she was unclear about the Select Board’s versus the Planning Board’s responsibilities on the issue and recommended the board run the marijuana and ADU language by Town Counsel.
On ADUs, members noted the state standard that ADUs may be up to 900 square feet or up to half the size of the primary dwelling, and discussed a local example from Buckland that allows 900 square feet. Bob said he found a clean, annotated ADU bylaw text online and suggested adding it to Charlemont’s bylaws with minimal edits.
The board did not enact bylaw changes at the meeting and directed staff to seek legal advice and plan topic-focused meetings next year to develop proposed articles for a future Town Meeting.
