The use of marijuana for medicinal and adult-use purposes has
been authorized by the Connecticut General Statutes and is regulated
by the State Department of Consumer Protection. It is the intent of
these zoning regulations to accommodate the production and dispensing
of such marijuana, with appropriate limitations to acceptable locations,
conditions and standards applicable within the Town of Stratford.
The purpose of this section is to regulate the location and operation
of marijuana dispensary facilities and production facilities, for
either medicinal or adult use, in such a manner as to minimize any
adverse impacts of such facilities, and to protect and preserve Stratford's
public safety and health, residential neighborhoods, commercial districts,
property values and quality of life. Such limitations are in addition
to all applicable requirements, criteria and standards set forth for
the use in the state statutes. In determining whether or not an application
would comply with the stated purpose of this section, the Commission
shall take into consideration the proximity of the premises to residential
areas, religious institutions, schools, playgrounds, parks, public
or private recreation areas, substance abuse disorder treatment facilities,
community centers, libraries, child day-care facilities or any place
primarily frequented by minors. When submitting a special case application
to the Zoning Commission for approvals, applicants must disclose distances
to residential areas, religious institutions, schools, playgrounds,
parks, public or private recreation areas, child day-care facilities
or any place frequented by minors. A site plan, indicating the proposed
location of the marijuana facility, the location of all other land
uses identified in this ordinance, within a one-half-mile radius of
the proposed location and the setbacks to those land uses is required.
It is the responsibility of the applicant to research the uses on
the surrounding properties and accurately identify the distances and
separations as required. Failure to accurately document surrounding
uses may result in the revocation of any zoning compliance. The applicant
shall provide information explaining what methods were used to identify
the surrounding uses and distances. This review is necessary to determine
the effect that an approval may have on the immediate of general neighborhood
or the community.
For purposes of this section of the Regulations, the terms "dispensary
facility" and "production facility" shall mean as described in the
Statutes, which currently define them as follows:
a)
"Dispensary facility" means a place of business where cannabis
may be dispensed, sold or distributed in accordance with SB 1201 of
the General Statutes and any regulations adopted thereunder and to
which the department has issued a dispensary facility license under
Chapter 420f of the General Statutes and any regulations adopted thereunder.
b)
"Producer" means a person that is licensed as a producer pursuant
to Section 21a-408i of the General Statutes and any regulations adopted
thereunder.
[Amended 8-24-2022, effective 9-15-2022]
Uses identified in this section shall be subject to the following
separation requirements:
a)
No marijuana dispensary or production facility shall be permitted
on a site that is less than 1,500 feet from any other site containing
a marijuana dispensary or production facility measured by taking the
nearest straight line between the respective lot boundaries of each
site.
b)
No marijuana dispensary or production facility shall be permitted
within the same building structure or portion thereof that is used
for residential purposes.
c)
No marijuana dispensary or production facility shall be permitted
any closer than 700 feet from any municipal boundary line.
d)
No more than one dispensary or one production/grow facility
shall be allowed for every 25,000 residents of the municipality, as
determined by the most recent census. When determining applicability,
the population number will be rounded down to the nearest 25,000 cohort.
Exterior and interior outward facing signage shall be restricted
to a single sign no larger than 24 inches by 36 inches. No graphics
of any kind will be allowed, and the text will be limited to the street
address of the facility and/or any such other information as may be
mandated by the State of Connecticut. Sandwich boards, A-frames, twirlers,
flag or other similar forms of signage are prohibited at such establishments.
Required off-street parking shall be in compliance with Section
12 of these Regulations.