NORTH HAVEN

On Sept. 9, the North Haven Planning and Zoning Commission (PZC) voted 3-2 to adopt zoning regulations which effectively prohibit zoning for all future establishments which would intend to sell cannabis products after the time of its adoption.

The amendment was brought forward by the PZC itself, with two of its members saying that the integration of its language into local zoning laws was long overdue. The language will be integrated into Section 8.12.5 of zoning regulations to prohibit all “cannabis establishments,” specifically retail establishments selling recreational and medical marijuana, in all districts in North Haven.

Chairman Vern Carlson broke the tie among commissioners to approve the amendment, which will go into effect on Monday, Sept. 23.

A dissenting voice on the PZC came from Roderick Williams, who wanted the rest of the commission to consider tax revenue generated from dispensaries, something which may “potentially be lost if this was passed.”

The potential positives from a financial perspective were not shared by those who spoke on the amendment during the public hearing, including Ken Derrico, whose property abuts the Sunmed CBD store located on Washington Avenue.

“Property values have decreased in close proximity to cannabis dispensaries,” said D‘errico, who supports the amendment. “That’s something that hits home right on the border of one of these.”

Resident Tom White supported the amendment, believing that the permitting of future cannabis establishments in town would be a public health and safety concern, particularly for North Haven youth.

“We need this amendment to protect the public’s health, especially children, who are getting a hold of cannabis edibles and overdosing on THC,” he said.

White said that cannabis establishments are unnecessary in North Haven considering that there are ones which exist in Hamden and New Haven and that orders and deliveries of products can be placed online.

The PZC’s amendment does permit the delivery of marijuana products to North Haven residents within its town’s zoning.

White also mentioned that cannabis stores would “adversely affect our municipality” with increases in public services and would not generate substantial tax revenue.

Resident Alex Johnson pleaded with the PZC to extend the public hearing to a future date, saying that several residents whose behalf she spoke on were unaware of the hearing and would have liked to have spoken at a second round of public testimony. However, the PZC went ahead in closing the hearing and approving the language almost immediately afterwards.

While the language specifically bars the zoning of all establishments selling cannabis following the Sept. 9 meeting, that does not mean the sale of marijuana in North Haven will be completely outlawed. Earlier in the same meeting, a public hearing was held on a proposal by the Fine Fettle dispensary to open a cannabis establishment at 104 Washington Avenue, the site of the former Candid Cleaners business.

Fine Fettle has seven locations in Connecticut which sell cannabis for medical and recreational purposes, including in Old Saybrook.

According to Alan Fredericksen, land use official, Fine Fettle would be subject to zoning laws which would be grandfathered into regulations after the PZC’s approved amendment.

“You are subject to the regulations that were in effect when you made the application,” he said. “Their application is still good. If their application is denied, and they want to, for instance, change locations, they will not be able to because it is prohibited as of the effective date [of the amendment].

The public hearing on Fine Fettle has been extended to the PZC’s next meeting on Monday, Oct. 7.