Arlington board continues hearing on proposed Summer Street cannabis dispensary after neighbors raise traffic, drainage and screening concerns

The Arlington Redevelopment Board continued a public hearing on an application by Calix Peak to open a retail cannabis store at 251 Summer Street after residents raised concerns about traffic, stormwater, lighting and privacy.

At a July meeting Chair Ken Lau said the boardwas limited to design-review matters and that approval of retail marijuana as a use had been decided previously by the town. Claire Rechter, the townDirector of Planning and Community Development, summarized the application and the materials submitted, including site plans, elevations, a traffic assessment and landscaping plans.

Mary Wood Stanley O'Connor, representing the applicant, and Shane Peralta of Kenco Development reviewed the proposal, saying the plan would subdivide the existing single-story garage building and renovate the left side into a 1,260-square-foot dispensary while retaining the landlordauto-sales use on the right. "There's going to be...13 parking spaces," Peralta said, adding the parking would be dedicated to the cannabis retail use and that deliveries would be by a Sprinter van to a rear receiving area.

Neighbors who spoke during the public-comment period described the site as a family neighborhood within walking distance of local schools, recreational fields and the high school. "I feel betrayed by the town officials turning their backs on the wants and needs of the neighborhood," said Kathy Walsh, a fourth-generation Arlington resident, who cited worries about out-of-town customers, cash-on-hand robbery risk and lighting spilling into homes.

Other residents focused on drainage and traffic sightlines. Xiaoxing Yangs, who lives about 100–120 feet from the site, asked for a retaining wall and a six-foot fence behind that wall to address privacy and sightline issues. Michael Walsh urged the board to treat the existing rear catch basin as critical for neighborhood drainage, noting work done decades ago to pipe runoff away and warning that removing or abandoning a basin could raise standing water and create traffic hazards.

Board members pressed the applicant for technical clarifications and asked the team to provide additional materials before the next hearing. Key requests included: - Stormwater documentation and a letter or sign-off from the town engineer confirming adequacy of the proposed drainage changes; - A lighting/photometric plan showing expected spill onto abutting properties and confirmation that building-mounted fixtures will be downward-directed; - Clarified elevations and a finalized materials schedule showing which windows will be replaced, which will be frosted per CCC requirements and which are existing; - Details of the dumpster pad and how it will be secured and screened; - Confirmation of bike parking layout and snow-storage location; - Revised signage drawings that resolve two alternate monument-sign designs on the submitted plans; - A landscape-architect review or detailed planting plan for screening (residents asked specifically about evergreen plantings).

The board also discussed fencing alternatives; several members said a white wooden fence (rather than vinyl or chain-link with slats) could satisfy setback and screening provisions under the town's zoning sections cited by members.

After discussion, board member Steven Romick moved to continue the hearing to Sept. 28 to allow the applicant to provide the requested materials and to coordinate with the town engineer; the motion passed by the members present. Chair Ken Lau said the board would seek confirmation from the town engineer and expected the applicant to return with revised drawings and documentation.

The Redevelopment Board closed public comment and returned to other agenda items. Staff announced that Michelle Shortsley had been confirmed to join the board and will attend her first meeting on July 20. The meeting then adjourned.

Whathappens next: the hearing on docket 3902251 (251 Summer Street) will be continued to Sept. 28; the applicant must submit the additional technical and design information the board requested before the next public session.