Swansea approves marijuana overlay district, opening the door to retail dispensary
SWANSEA — Voters in Swansea approved a zoning change that will allow a marijuana retail store to open at the site of a former car dealership.
Hundreds of people filled chairs and bleachers in Joseph Case High School’s gym on Thursday night for a Special Town Meeting. The meeting’s warrant had just one article, a citizen’s petition to create a Marijuana Establishments Overlay District for a parcel of land on the Grand Army of the Republic Highway.
NortheastCann, Inc, is looking to build a retail marijuana store at 610 Grand Army of the Republic Highway, the former site of a Suzuki Triumph dealership.
The parcel in question is split into two separate zoning districts. Previously, the company had secured approval to open a smaller facility on the back half of the parcel, behind the existing building. Attorney for NortheastCann Nicholas Gomes said that would have required them to demolish the former dealership and would limit them to a small store of around 1,000 or 1,500 square feet that would likely offer counter service for a few customers at a time.
“That’s not what we’re trying to do. We’re trying to bring something premier, something the town can be proud of,” he said.
What does it mean to have a marijuana zoning overlay district?
Adding a marijuana zoning overlay district to the entire parcel would allow them to renovate and open within the existing building, he told voters at Thursday’s meeting.
The overlay district would allow for all “marijuana establishments.” As defined under Massachusetts law, a marijuana establishment could involve around a dozen different kinds of businesses including cultivation, manufacturing or retail establishments.
NortheastCann has a provisional license for adult use, retail distribution from the state, not a cultivation or manufacturing facility, which would require different licenses.
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Swansea residents chime in
Resident Richard Cunha said he was opposed to allowing a marijuana facility open in Swansea.
“It’s legal, I get it. We have a lot of it around here. Seems to me that we don’t need any more,” he said.
Others spoke in favor of the facility and said it would bring increased commercial tax revenue and other valuable income to the town by encouraging people to shop at the dispensary and other nearby businesses.
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“Whether people like it or not, people are smoking marijuana in Swansea,” said resident Rachel Martin. “They can either build a nice establishment that is not an eyesore… or they can build a tiny little store with not a lot of revenue for the town that doesn’t make a lot of money.”
What does Swansea get as a Host Community?
Town Administrator Mallory Aronstein said the company has signed a Host Community Agreement that would require the company to pay the town 3% of gross annual sales in a community impact fee intended to offset the cost of potential town services like a police presence or administrative review. NortheastCann has also agreed to give the town a 3% excise tax from every sale they make.
Town Moderator Paul Burke brought the matter to a vote after about 45 minutes of discussion and debate.
The measure required a two-thirds majority to pass. Out of a total of 336 ballots counted, 252 were yes votes, clearing the threshold of 224 yeses needed to pass.
When Burke announced the outcome, cheers and applause filled the auditorium.
This article originally appeared on The Herald News: Swansea approves marijuana zoning, opening the door to dispensary
