Katelyn Baker
Well-Known Member
Grafton - A proposed bylaw that would define a right to farm, and a zoning bylaw amendment designed to tighten control of marijuana dispensaries, are among the highlights on the fall town meeting warrant.
Town meeting begins at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 17 in the Grafton High School auditorium, 24 Providence Road. There are 17 articles on the warrant.
Members of the town Agricultural Commission, who met with selectmen Sept. 6, said that the purpose of establishing a right-to-farm bylaw is to protect the lifestyle and culture of farming, which in turn would maintain open space and carry on a historic use of the land and could be a way to promote agriculture as an avenue for economic development.
The proposed bylaw, Article 17, would not supersede any other laws in town, including nuisance laws and zoning restrictions.
However, it would clarify expectations for abutters and others in the district. For example, a farm operation could have work going on at any time, and there could be associated odors or noise.
Assistant Town Administrator Douglas Willardson said properties with five acres or more already have a right to farm. The proposed bylaw would address properties under that size, which in most zoning districts are allowed to have farming with a special permit from the Planning Board.
Under the proposed bylaw, a landowner would have to inform a buyer or occupant in a real estate transaction, within 21 days of a signed purchase-and-sale contract or lease, that the property lies in a town in which farming activities occur.
According to the Massachusetts Association of Agricultural Commissions, as of December 2015, 165 communities in Massachusetts had agricultural commissions, and 139 had local right-to-farm bylaws.
Marijuana dispensaries are addressed in two articles, both submitted by the Planning Board.
Article 15 amends the zoning bylaws to add that a registered marijuana dispensary or off-site medical marijuana dispensary must comply with state Department of Public Health regulations as a condition for granting a special permit.
In Article 16, the definition of permitted uses for the Campus Development Overlay District surrounding the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University clarifies that a registered marijuana dispensary and/or an off-site medical marijuana dispensary shall not be considered a pharmaceutical use.
The Campus Development Overlay District is designed to promote well-designed biomedical and technology-related uses in a campus park setting, based on a master plan. The underlying zoning districts include industrial and office/light industrial.
Selectmen recently signed a letter of non-opposition for Nature's Remedy to open a medical marijuana cultivation and retail dispensary at 8 Millennium Drive in Centech Park, part of a targeted economic development area.
News Moderator: Katelyn Baker 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Right To Farm, Marijuana Zoning Top Town Meeting Warrant In Grafton
Author: Susan Spencer
Contact: (508) 793-9200
Photo Credit: Flickr
Website: Telegram
Town meeting begins at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 17 in the Grafton High School auditorium, 24 Providence Road. There are 17 articles on the warrant.
Members of the town Agricultural Commission, who met with selectmen Sept. 6, said that the purpose of establishing a right-to-farm bylaw is to protect the lifestyle and culture of farming, which in turn would maintain open space and carry on a historic use of the land and could be a way to promote agriculture as an avenue for economic development.
The proposed bylaw, Article 17, would not supersede any other laws in town, including nuisance laws and zoning restrictions.
However, it would clarify expectations for abutters and others in the district. For example, a farm operation could have work going on at any time, and there could be associated odors or noise.
Assistant Town Administrator Douglas Willardson said properties with five acres or more already have a right to farm. The proposed bylaw would address properties under that size, which in most zoning districts are allowed to have farming with a special permit from the Planning Board.
Under the proposed bylaw, a landowner would have to inform a buyer or occupant in a real estate transaction, within 21 days of a signed purchase-and-sale contract or lease, that the property lies in a town in which farming activities occur.
According to the Massachusetts Association of Agricultural Commissions, as of December 2015, 165 communities in Massachusetts had agricultural commissions, and 139 had local right-to-farm bylaws.
Marijuana dispensaries are addressed in two articles, both submitted by the Planning Board.
Article 15 amends the zoning bylaws to add that a registered marijuana dispensary or off-site medical marijuana dispensary must comply with state Department of Public Health regulations as a condition for granting a special permit.
In Article 16, the definition of permitted uses for the Campus Development Overlay District surrounding the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University clarifies that a registered marijuana dispensary and/or an off-site medical marijuana dispensary shall not be considered a pharmaceutical use.
The Campus Development Overlay District is designed to promote well-designed biomedical and technology-related uses in a campus park setting, based on a master plan. The underlying zoning districts include industrial and office/light industrial.
Selectmen recently signed a letter of non-opposition for Nature's Remedy to open a medical marijuana cultivation and retail dispensary at 8 Millennium Drive in Centech Park, part of a targeted economic development area.
News Moderator: Katelyn Baker 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Right To Farm, Marijuana Zoning Top Town Meeting Warrant In Grafton
Author: Susan Spencer
Contact: (508) 793-9200
Photo Credit: Flickr
Website: Telegram
