SOUTHWICK – With the state’s Cannabis Control Commission recently starting the process of putting a law together for recreational marijuana, the marijuana sub-committee in Southwick has continued to discuss and review the latest bylaw they have constructed.
Doug Moglin, who is on the committee as a liaison for the Select Board, gave an overview to the rest of the committee about overlay zones and special permit use. It’s important to the committee since the town would be able to zone where recreational marijuana facilities or retail stores can be located.
The marijuana sub-committee met on Wednesday night and discussed overlay zones and special permits. (Photo courtesy of Greg Fitzpatrick)
An overlay zone is a zoning district that goes over one or more zoning districts that are already established. The overlay zone can give additional standards yet also make them stricter. Most notable, overlay zones are used to protect features like historic buildings, wetlands, and waterfronts. According to Moglin, there are a couple of overlay zones in Southwick.
Besides the overlay zone, a special permit is also something that the marijuana sub–committee can implement into their bylaw. Issued by the Planning Board, a special permit towards recreational marijuana would require a super majority vote at a town meeting.
Moglin believes that allowing someone to acquire a special permit has been a good thing for the town in the past.
“I think overall it’s been a benefit to the town. “Zoning by right would change what the Cannabis Control Commission would allow or not allow.”
Moglin also discussed that each restricted zone would have an allowed use by right, including business restricted and industrial restricted zones.
