Ansonia Public Hearing On Pot Farms, Dispensaries Oct. 15

ethan fry photo

From left, Ansonia Planning and Zoning Commissioner Tim Holman, recording secretary Darlene Zawisza, Chairman Jared Heon, and Commissioner Maureen McCormack-Conrado.

ANSONIA The Planning and Zoning Commission has scheduled a public hearing to discuss allowing marijuana production facilities and dispensaries to open in the city. 

The public hearing is scheduled for Oct. 15 at 7 p.m. at Ansonia City Hall, 253 Main St.

The commission has been discussing new rules for pot facilities for months.

City Planner David Elder gave members of the commission draft regulations allowing marijuana production facilities and dispensaries in industrial zones as well as commerce parks and other special commercial districts. 

The regulations presented by Elder at Monday’s meeting had not yet been posted online, but he said copies will be available in the town clerk’s office.

During a brief discussion, commissioner Tim Holman asked why the possibility of pot facilities had come up.

This has come up because we have an interest in this or it’s something we think we should act (on)?” he said.

Heon said since the city has no regulations regarding medical marijuana facilities, it could theoretically face a legal challenge since a 2012 state law allowed their use.

The city currently has a moratorium on pot businesses dating back to 2013, which was enacted, the zoners said at the time, because the state had not yet hashed out its own specific rules with respect to the facilities.

Those regulations are now in place.

Since Connecticut started allowing these and approved the use of medical marijuana, it’s something that we most likely need to plan for,” Heon said. We have gotten questions regarding our regulations. In the past it’s been If it’s not in the regulations, it’s not allowed,’ but we don’t really want to be challenged.”

I’d rather get the regulations out in front and put it where we want it and kind of welcome some of it,” Heon said. That’s the opinion that a lot of people have given us. I think that’s why it was brought up by commissioners back in May.”

That makes sense,” Holman said. 

In a non-scientific poll in an Aug. 15 Valley Indy story about the draft regulations, 65.81 percent of respondents supported allowing marijuana growing facilities and dispensaries in Ansonia. 

Keep local reporting alive. Donate.ValleyIndy.org