Pepperell Planning Board backs marijuana bylaw fix to allow second dispensary

PEPPERELL — August 3, 2020 — Pepperell Planning Board moves toward marijuana bylaw fix and fills vacancy at August 3 virtual meeting. The board, chaired by Casey Campetti, signaled unanimous support for amending the town's recreational marijuana zoning bylaw after Town Administrator Andrew McLean's letter identified language limiting the town to one special permit rather than two — a result of the bylaw referencing liquor licenses "issued by the town" rather than licenses allocated by the state. Member Chuck Walkovich urged a full bylaw review before any town-meeting submission; Associate Member Joyce Morrow backed the state's formula, citing economic development and two vacant downtown storefronts. The board also unanimously endorsed an Approval Not Required plan for 437 Blood Street after a revised submission showed both lots meeting the 80,000-square-foot dry-area minimum at approximately 81,000 square feet each. In an informal session, prospective dispensary New England Craft Cultivators was told by Walkovich and Morrow that a stamped engineer's site plan would be expected despite a waiver request, which the applicants accepted. The board voted unanimously to recommend Travis Jones, a remote curriculum writer and two-year Pepperell resident, to fill a current planning board vacancy, with a joint appointment meeting with the Board of Selectmen targeted for August 10.