Pepperell Planning Board Continues Cannabis Retail Hearing Over Parking and Safety Questions

PEPPERELL — October 19, 2020 — Pepperell Planning Board continues cannabis retail hearing for New England Craft Cultivators to November 2. The board voted unanimously to carry the public hearing for a special permit application at 112-114 Main Street after board member Al raised detailed concerns about compact parking encroachment on the town right-of-way, ADA compliance along the Main Street building facade, emergency egress blocked by rear parking spaces, and a potential conflict over 20 overflow spaces at the town-owned Fitzpatrick property, which is residentially zoned. Town Planner Lisa said Building Commissioner Bob Kelly would be asked to verify whether rear parking spaces were part of the original mall approval and whether any block required egress. The applicant, represented by Wes Ritchie and civil engineer James Hanley of Civil Design, presented 17 site-plan revisions including reconfigured traffic flow, compact-car parking, a lighting plan, and a delivery schedule, and committed to restricting dumpster pickup to non-disruptive hours. A Board of Health letter flagging cannabis wastewater disposal, odor control, basement conditions, and noise bylaw compliance was read into the record.