Vassalboro: Action postponed on marijuana application

by Mary Grow

Vassalboro Planning Board members postponed action on Leo Barnett’s application for a new building on Old Meadow Road, off Riverside Drive, in which tenants will grow marijuana for medical purposes, because the application he submitted at their Nov. 1 meeting was not complete.

Barnett said he plans a building about 28-by-140 feet just east of his subdivision on the same road. The map he submitted showed the subdivision and the remaining lot where the building is planned, but it was not specific enough about the location and size of the building and access driveway, proposed lighting or landscaping to let board members make a decision on the project.

Board Chairman Virginia Brackett told Barnett the map submitted with a commercial application “becomes the largest piece of the record for the town showing what’s supposed to be where.” Therefore, she said, an accurate map is essential.

In addition, board members could not tell whether the area that would be developed, including roadways, would exceed 5,000 square feet. If it did, the project would be a major rather than a minor development, with somewhat different requirements under town ordinances.

Barnett said he will have a better map prepared for the board’s Dec. 6 meeting.

Five neighbors from Riverside Drive, Lewis Road and Holman Day Road attended the Nov. 1 meeting to voice concerns about the project, questioning its suitability in a residential area.

Barnett said licensed caregivers running the business will rent the new building from him and live close by in an existing building. He said he owns a similar property in Farmingdale and there have been no problems with his tenants or with neighbors.