Zoning Board OK’s special use permit for proposed compassion center

By DANIEL A. KITTREDGE
Posted 12/16/20

By DANIEL KITTREDGE As the state prepares to close its application period for six new compassion center licenses, Cranston has granted a key approval to one medical marijuana establishment being proposed in the city. The Zoning Board of Review on Dec. 9

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Zoning Board OK’s special use permit for proposed compassion center

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As the state prepares to close its application period for six new compassion center licenses, Cranston has granted a key approval to one medical marijuana establishment being proposed in the city.

The Zoning Board of Review on Dec. 9 approved a special use permit for the Winding Rhode Compassion Center, which would be located at 100 Glen Road near the wastewater treatment facility off Pontiac Avenue. The Planning Commission gave its backing to the special permit application the night prior, Dec. 8.

The plan for the compassion center – which would not include any on-site cultivation of marijuana – involves the demolition of an existing 29,600-square-foot building at the property and its replacement with a new, 4,800-square foot facility.

Patrick J. Casey III, president of Winding Rhode, was among those who addressed the Planning Commission and Zoning Board regarding the application. He said the facility would have two security guards on site at all times, with a total of 18 to 24 employees. Packaging and storage of marijuana would be done in secure spaces within the building, with a defined flow of traffic for patrons.

Engineer Joseph Casali said the location is expected to draw an average of 20 to 30 visitors per hour, with peaks of 40 to 50. Visitors are projected to spent 10 minutes in the facility on average. He also said the site will have 68 total parking spaces, include three accessible spaces.

The Winding Rhode plan first went before the city’s Development Plan Review Committee in August, at which point concerns were raised over using the existing structure to house the facility. At that point, the applicant started over and developed the plans for the demolition and new construction.

Doug McLean, principal planner with the city’s Planning Department, told the Planning Commission that the applicant went “went above and beyond” in responding to the city’s concerns.

Edward Pimentel, part of the applicant’s team, told the Zoning Board that a range of factors had been considered in evaluating potential sites for the compassion center, including radius distance requirements on the local and state levels.

“This hit all the targets … It really is the perfect site,” he said.

Zoning Board member Paula McFarland echoed that sentiment, calling the proposed location “probably a perfect spot” for such a facility.

The Planning Commission and Zoning Board proceedings drew little comment from either residents or officials, although Pauline DeRosa of the Garden City Alliance and others did voice concern over traffic impacts. McLean said an analysis determined the project would not have a detrimental effect on traffic in the area.

Winding Rhode’s backers now await the results of a state lottery process, which will one new compassion center license in each of six geographic zones across the state. Cranston sits in Zone 4, which includes Warwick, East Greenwich and North Kingstown.

The application period for the licenses was scheduled to conclude Tuesday, with the lottery to take place at some point in 2021.

Cranston’s zoning allows for compassion centers by special use permit in only its M-1 and M-2 industrial zones.

The Development Plan Review Committee in November also granted preliminary approval to another medical marijuana facility, the proposed New Leaf Compassion Center at 24 Stafford Court. That proposal has not yet gone through the special use permit process.

compassion center, marijuana

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