Pubdate: Sat, 10 May 2014
Source: Wilton Bulletin (CT)
Copyright: 2014 Hersam Acorn Newspapers
Contact:  http://www.wiltonbulletin.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/4650
Author: Kaitlin Bradshaw

MEDICAL WEED IN GEORGETOWN?

Georgetown could be home to Fairfield County's first medical marijuana
dispensary.

Angela D'Amico and Karen Barski of D & B Wellness LLC presented a plan
to establish a pharmaceutical dispensary store at 12 Old Mill Road to
the Water Pollution Control Commission (WPCC) during a special meeting
on Monday, May 5.

The WPCC oversees the Georgetown wastewater treatment facility that
serves customers in Georgetown. The commission questioned the amount
of water to be used by the dispensary.

The location has one bathroom and one hand-washing sink, so the
commission approved an allocation of up to 100 gallons per day of
water for the 1,600-square-foot building.

The dispensary plan includes a maximum of four employees and would
have a high level of security and operate on an appointment-only basis.

D & B Wellness is one of six medical marijuana producers that received
state approval in April. The application was for a dispensary at 2181
Main Street in Bridgeport.

During a Bridgeport Planning and Zoning Commission meeting on April
14, the commission unanimously denied the application for eight
reasons, including that the location of the dispensary was a "bad
location for a new and potentially dangerous commercial activity, and
would have a negative impact on the adjoining residences and
commercial establishments."

The commission also found that under existing state statutes, there
are different definitions for a retail pharmacy as compared to a
dispensary and recognize that the sale and use of marijuana is illegal
under federal law.

Now, D & B Wellness has until May 15 to present zoning approval at a
different location to the state or else its license expires, according
to Redding First Selectman Julia Pemberton.

The next step for the dispensary is to submit an application for use
to Aimee Pardee, Redding's zoning enforcement officer.

"They will need to come before the Zoning Commission for a site plan
approval," said Ms. Pardee.

Because the dispensary would be changing the permitted use of the
site, it requires permission from zoning, she said.

A dance studio was previously located at the building.

As of Tuesday, May 6, Ms. Pardee said she had not received an
application, and the next zoning commission meeting is scheduled for
Wednesday, May 14.

Ms. Pemberton said the Board of Selectmen does not have a regulatory
angle on the use of the zone.

"It's really a zoning, fire marshal, building code issue," she said.
"There's been a great deal of ambiguity surrounding what is or what is
not an appropriate location for a medical marijuana dispensary. All
towns have different zoning regulations."

"The issue for us is in terms of how we want to look at business in
Georgetown and what is the benefit to the community," said Ms.
Pemberton. "Any impact to what is essentially a residential
neighborhood should be carefully weighed."

Ms. D'Amico, the applicant, declined to comment.

Wilton's Planning & Zoning Commission declared a moratorium on
marijuana dispensary applications earlier this year.
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