The Planning Board will hold a public hearing August 17 at 7 pm at the Meetinghouse as it reviews the use determination for Scott Liberty/Country Manor’s proposed medical marijuana grow facility on Penney Road.
The hearing and board meeting will be broadcast on local cable and live-streamed on https://townhallstreams.com/towns/newgloucesterme (note: no public comment via the live-stream).
The hearing is court-ordered, a result of abutters’ challenge to the proposed structure and operation to be sited in the Rural Residential district. The town’s previous code enforcement officer determined the use was permitted as a “commercial greenhouse.” Abutters have contended the operation in a 70’x100′ windowless metal building is more like a “light industrial use” not allowed in the Rural Residential zone, among other objections. Read background about the hearing, the case, and the recent court decision here.
The board’s decision and use determination could affect a second proposed marijuana grow facility, at 440 Tobey Road. Its currently approved use may also be reconsidered tonight, meeting packet documents show, and Tobey Road neighbors have been notified.
Helpful, detailed information regarding the Penney Road project, past findings, and tonight’s hearing has been posted on the Planning Board’s page. Highlights:
— Click here to view the meeting agenda;
— Click here to view the meeting packet, including the application, maps, previous findings, and more;
— Click here to view video of the 11/17/2020 public hearing on the proposed facility.
— Joanne Cole
