Katelyn Baker
Well-Known Member
Westport - The Planning Board is proposing a bylaw change that would lead to a moratorium on recreational marijuana facilities.
Planning Board Chairman James Whitin met with selectmen last week and received the nod for the Planning Board to hold a hearing next month on this proposal and three others.
After the hearing in January, the bylaw proposals will be pitched to voters at the spring Town Meeting. In another bylaw change proposal, the Planning Board would like to tweak the town's newly adopted agritourism bylaw. Reached this week, Town Planner James Hartnett said the proposed change would ensure that agri-entertainment and other offshoots of farming are allowed as secondary practices only.
Examples of agritourism include summer concerts at the Westport Rivers Vineyard Winery, hayrides and other secondary farm practices.
For the marijuana item, Hartnett explained that many communities are proposing a one-or two-year moratorium that would prevent a recreational marijuana enterprise from locating within town borders.
He noted Westport's moratorium would last for one year and give town authorities an opportunity to craft zoning and other regulations.
"The moratorium shall be in effect until January 30, 2018," according to language from the proposal. "During the moratorium period, the town shall undertake a planning process to address the potential impacts of recreational marijuana in the town, consider the state regulations regarding recreational marijuana facilities and related uses and shall consider adopting new zoning bylaws."
The language in the proposal also states that recreational marijuana also raises novel concerns with regards to "public safety" and other legal issues.
The agritourism bylaw drew lengthy debates at last May's Town Meeting. The new bylaw, proponents said, would still include all permitting procedures but would restate and clarify the Right to Farm bylaw, put it in zoning and also note that agritourism and agri-entertainment would also be permissible on farms.
Hartnett and Whitin were among the critics who said that the proposal needed some reworking. The proposal for the spring Town Meeting represents one such way it will be proposed, and lays out the definition of farming practices.
The other two Planning Board proposals are "housekeeping matters," according to Hartnett. One proposal will look to rezone a span of Cornell Road, while another proposal will look to make special permits lapse after three years, in accordance with state regulations.
News Moderator: Katelyn Baker 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Westport Eyes Plans To Keep Marijuana Facilities Out Of Town - For Now
Author: Jeffrey D. Wagner
Contact: 508-676-8211
Photo Credit: None Found
Website: The Herald News
Planning Board Chairman James Whitin met with selectmen last week and received the nod for the Planning Board to hold a hearing next month on this proposal and three others.
After the hearing in January, the bylaw proposals will be pitched to voters at the spring Town Meeting. In another bylaw change proposal, the Planning Board would like to tweak the town's newly adopted agritourism bylaw. Reached this week, Town Planner James Hartnett said the proposed change would ensure that agri-entertainment and other offshoots of farming are allowed as secondary practices only.
Examples of agritourism include summer concerts at the Westport Rivers Vineyard Winery, hayrides and other secondary farm practices.
For the marijuana item, Hartnett explained that many communities are proposing a one-or two-year moratorium that would prevent a recreational marijuana enterprise from locating within town borders.
He noted Westport's moratorium would last for one year and give town authorities an opportunity to craft zoning and other regulations.
"The moratorium shall be in effect until January 30, 2018," according to language from the proposal. "During the moratorium period, the town shall undertake a planning process to address the potential impacts of recreational marijuana in the town, consider the state regulations regarding recreational marijuana facilities and related uses and shall consider adopting new zoning bylaws."
The language in the proposal also states that recreational marijuana also raises novel concerns with regards to "public safety" and other legal issues.
The agritourism bylaw drew lengthy debates at last May's Town Meeting. The new bylaw, proponents said, would still include all permitting procedures but would restate and clarify the Right to Farm bylaw, put it in zoning and also note that agritourism and agri-entertainment would also be permissible on farms.
Hartnett and Whitin were among the critics who said that the proposal needed some reworking. The proposal for the spring Town Meeting represents one such way it will be proposed, and lays out the definition of farming practices.
The other two Planning Board proposals are "housekeeping matters," according to Hartnett. One proposal will look to rezone a span of Cornell Road, while another proposal will look to make special permits lapse after three years, in accordance with state regulations.
News Moderator: Katelyn Baker 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Westport Eyes Plans To Keep Marijuana Facilities Out Of Town - For Now
Author: Jeffrey D. Wagner
Contact: 508-676-8211
Photo Credit: None Found
Website: The Herald News
