NEW BRITAIN — The town’s Zoning Board of Appeals will think about the controversial approval of a 133,000-square-foot hashish cultivation and distribution website on Slater Street on Tuesday.
Rocky Hill-based developer CCC Building desires to transform the outdated Webster Financial institution coaching facility right into a hashish warehouse, a transfer that some residents have condemned as a result of danger of scent and proximity to varsities.
“I perceive their issues and wish to hear the corporate deal with them,” New Britain Mayor Erin Stewart mentioned.
The ZBA’s public listening to will think about the warehouse for particular exception and variance approval. The timeline of development is dependent upon the approval, in response to a spokesperson for Stewart.
“Whereas I acknowledge that some residents within the space have expressed opposition to the proposal, I do not imagine that their issues can’t be adequately addressed by the town and the developer,” New Britain resident Daniel Courtney mentioned.
Courtney mentioned he believes the ability could be an excellent use of the Webster Financial institution facility, which has been vacant for years. The financial institution is on the location of the Stanley softball diamond.
“Contemplating the safety measures already in place there, it is ideally suited to be transformed right into a manufacturing and distribution heart for Connecticut’s budding leisure hashish trade,” Courtney mentioned. “This mission guarantees to deliver much-needed tax income and jobs to the town.”
Different residents agreed with the monetary advantages of the trade on the town, saying the ability isn’t any extra of a danger than liquor shops.
If accepted, the ability might be 0.7 miles from the CREC Academy of Science and Innovation and 0.6 miles from Gaffney Elementary College. It could even be 0.8 miles from E.C. Goodwin Technical Magnet College.
Metropolis Treasurer Danny Salerno believes issues about proximity to varsities must also be prolonged to liquor shops. There may be a couple of liquor retailer inside 2 miles of the ability.
“If you wish to make comparisons, alcohol is extra accessible,” Salerno mentioned. “It is accessible to individuals — it’s in every single place. It is a part of our tradition, and it is not essentially higher for us and it does not imply everyone who drinks is an alcoholic. That is under no circumstances what I am saying. The stigma of marijuana that is been positioned on it for 50, 60, 70 years is difficult to take away for some individuals.”
Salerno served on metropolis council from 2013 to 2021 when members created zoning rules in anticipation of hashish legalization and companies just like the proposed warehouse.
“My place is that folks have to type of recover from the difficulty of the truth that legalization has taken place and now we want to have the ability to regulate it as we regulate most something,” Salerno mentioned.
emily.disalvo@hearstmediact.com
