ReLeaf Alternative opening plans stalled amid dispute over Natick dispensary's driveways

NATICK — Like the narrator in Robert Frost’s most famous poem, Natick’s Planning Board has a bone to pick with diverging roads — specifically, the dual driveway in the site plans for an adult-use marijuana dispensary on Route 9.

ReLeaf Alternative’s opening plans have made little progress in recent weeks as Planning Board members and dispensary representatives debated the merits of having one driveway or two at the site. Formerly a Papa Gino’s, the 291 Worcester St. location has a pre-existing curved driveway with two outlets to Route 9.

ReLeaf has argued that a single driveway does not provide enough sight distance, the length of road visible to drivers. Poor sight distance can contribute to rear-end crashes and collisions because drivers may be unable to see and react to hazards, signs or signals, according to the Federal Highway Administration.

Related: ReLeaf Alternative's proposed marijuana dispensary sparks traffic concerns

However, Planning Board member Doug Landry — a planning professional who has experience with transportation projects and strategy — pushed back on the dual driveway, citing the traffic signal located almost directly in front of the site on Route 9.

The debate continued in a Planning Board meeting on Wednesday, as Chair Andy Meyer noted, “Tonight’s theme seems to be diametrically opposed opinions.”

The board sought comments from town police and fire representatives, hoping to break the stalemate.

The Police Department took no issue with the dual driveway, suggesting that having only one outlet could result in traffic backing out into a Route 9 westbound travel lane, according to comments Meyer read during the meeting. The Fire Department similarly reported no concerns.

Still, Meyer said: “I think most people, from an engineering standpoint, agree that he’s (Landry is) correct. And I know that there might be kind of a wish or a desire that we keep the driveway as is, but I feel … that Doug has kind of made the case here.”

Related: Second cannabis delivery operator eyes Tech Circle site in Natick

Landry again emphasized the importance of finding the best plan for the site, rather than defending the existing design.

“This entire presentation, from day one, seems to have been, ‘Let’s justify what’s there today, and let’s find arguments that fit that,’ versus, ‘Let’s really take a look at this and figure out what is the proper way to design this site,’” he said.

Given Route 9 is a state highway, Landry said he wants the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) to weigh in.

Conor McLaughlin, reLeaf’s chief financial officer, said the dispensary’s defense of the two driveways isn’t about cutting costs.

“I would like the board to understand that we are millions of dollars into this process and are not concerned about the cost, but concerned about how we perceive the safety of the site,” he said, adding, “We’re in favor of what your own police department, fire department and engineer have put forth as their recommendation.”

McLaughlin also touched on the drawn-out nature of the opening process.

“We are over a year since we got awarded the community host agreement for this process, and we’re still nowhere close to opening,” he said. “At this rate, we’re not going to be open until next February.”

More: Recreational marijuana business one step closer to opening dispensary in Natick

Typically, endorsement from town public safety officials would be enough for the Planning Board, Meyer explained.

“Normally speaking, I would take our town engineer and fire and police advice 100 times out of 100 times,” he said. “In this case, we have somebody on our board who’s actually an expert in the field. … We have kind of an unprecedented situation here.”

Fellow board members also seemed inclined to defer to Landry’s expertise.

“I am torn, because I certainly respect Doug and Doug’s opinion and Doug’s professional knowledge, and I also respect … Deputy Chief (Brian) Lauzon’s opinion,” board member Glen Glater said. “I think that the police are probably coming at it from the position of, ‘It’s been that way, and there haven’t been any accidents, so we’re OK with that.’ And Doug is coming at it from a more … conceptual point of view.”

In the end, the Planning Board agreed to seek MassDOT’s opinion and revisit reLeaf’s site plan review and special permits at its Aug. 3 meeting.

This article originally appeared on MetroWest Daily News: Natick marijuana shop held up over driveway, traffic concerns