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Planning Board Skeptical Of Proposed Marijuana Rules

Burlington’s Planning Board and Zoning Bylaw Review Committee expressed concern about proposed zoning and general bylaw changes that would allow recreational cannabis sales in certain parts of town. 

“I don’t think it goes far enough to protect the town from lawsuits, making sure everything is held to a high standard,” said Planning Director Liz Bonventre of the warrant article on the proposed zoning changes.” I think that if the town were to coalesce around this idea and work collaboratively with different boards and commissions, if they believe people of the town would like to see this happen, that’s something we as staff would pursue. But at this time I’m uncomfortable. It’s my professional opinion that this doesn’t go far enough.”

“The town voted 55 percent to 45 percent not to legalize this in our town,” said Zoning Bylaw Review Committee Member. Betsey Hughes “There are 26 retail stores within 10 miles of here There are five places where people can get marijuana delivered to their front door if they so wish. I question the need of the town and its residents to actually even have this at all.” 

The warrant articles potentially coming before Town Meeting in its September session would change the language in Burlington’s town bylaws to allow for the sale of recreational marijuana. A zoning bylaw would establish an overlay district of select parcels along Middlesex Turnpike and Mall Road where dispensaries could be permitted. Will Seagaard, a Burlington resident and operator of a marijuana cultivation facility in Fitchburg, worked with Town Meeting Member Alex Rutfield to propose the articles. 

In an interview with BNEWS, Seagaard argued that right now, Burlington is passing up on potential tax revenue because residents are going across town lines to purchase marijuana. “There’s no reason that Burlington shouldn’t roll out legal, recreational, taxed cannabis,” he said. “I think it’s more harmful to not allow it than to allow it.” 

Bonventre suggested that rather than simply pursuing Seagaard’s proposal, the town explore the potential of recreational cannabis on its own terms. “My suggestion would be to speak to the Select Board, the Board of Health, and coalesce upon if this is something the town wants to pursue,” she said. “And then it would be a subcommittee. That’s how it’s been discussed when we spoke with other communities. They started out with a subcommittee and it grew from there.”

Town Meeting is the final deciding body on whether the changes are approved, but the Plannign Board typically offers non-binding votes on relevant matters to advise Town Meeting on their views. The matter is likely to be discussed at a future Planning Board meeting before the board votes. 

The Planning Board also considered other articles that are working their way to September Town Meeting. 

One potential article from the School Committee would amend zoning rules to allow for diesel generators and some diesel fuel storage on school property to allow for energy backup for those buildings. The Planning Board seemed amenable to the changes, even suggesting the warrant article be amended to include all town buildings. 

And another proposed warrant article would allow two free-standing signs on the Town Common, with the idea that one of them would be electronic to allow the town to share messages about upcoming events. Further discussion is expected on both items.