Pepperell Planning Board Unanimously Approves Uma Flowers Cannabis Retail Permit

PEPPERELL — December 21, 2020 — Pepperell Planning Board approves Uma Flowers cannabis retail special permit 4-0 on the application deadline. The board voted at its December 21 meeting to approve Special Permit SP 2020-06 for Uma Flowers, which seeks to open an adult-use marijuana retail establishment at 2 Tarbell Street. Chair Casey recused herself from the item, and member Chuck served as acting chair for the deliberation. Town Planner Lisa guided the board through a series of conditions attached to the decision, including a requirement for approximately 60 linear feet of granite curbing separating the applicant's property from town rail trail parking, a stormwater remediation condition developed with town engineer Dave Donetsky, a 48-to-72-hour snow removal requirement added at the suggestion of new Associate Member Jennifer Gingras, and a provision requiring the applicant to fund a police detail at the police chief's discretion should traffic demand it. New member Joyce, elevated from associate to full member, voted in favor after raising questions about delivery-hour restrictions and operation-hour language. Valeria Romano, representing Uma Flowers, told the board that state Cannabis Control Commission regulations already require randomized delivery routes, pre-planned shipping manifests, and coordination with local law enforcement, making delivery vehicles "SUVs and Sprinter vans" rather than large commercial trucks. Uma Flowers must still obtain a final CCC license before a building permit can issue, and a 20-day appeal window begins once the signed decision is recorded.