Cannabis retailers and distributors in East Hartford would be kept nearly a half-mile apart under changes officials are contemplating for the town’s cannabis regulations.
The town’s Planning and Zoning Commission will, on Wednesday, hold a public hearing on several changes proposed by town planning staff, among them a requirement that cannabis retailers and distribution centers locate at least 2,500 feet from one another.
The proposal submitted to the commission was updated Tuesday afternoon.
Under the changes cannabis retailers – currently restricted to the B-3 district, would be allowed in the B-1 or B-2 business districts with a special permit approval.
The proposal introduced publicly Tuesday afternoon states its aim as “to enact siting criteria and additional performance standards for cannabis retail establishments so as not to permit an over-concentration of uses.”
East Hartford first adopted zoning regulations for cannabis businesses in November 2021, and revised them a year later.
Town regulations already prohibit cannabis businesses within 500 feet of a school, college, house of worship, charitable institution, library, public park, playground, daycare centers or municipal building. These businesses also cannot be located within 200 feet of a residential zoning district.
Under the proposal, those prohibitions would be swapped out with rules barring siting a cannabis retailer or distributor on any property adjacent to a school, town park, municipal recreation facility or Town Hall.
The proposed changes would keep allowable locations concentrated in commercial areas along major arteries, including Governor Street, Connecticut Boulevard, Ash Street, Pitkin Street, Main Street, Burnside Avenue, Silver Lane and Roberts Street.
Proposed cannabis retail and distribution businesses would require approval of a security plan by the chief of police, approved signage and an approved parking plan. Hours of operation would be limited to 8 a.m. and 10 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. on Sunday.
