Board approves cannabis farm

133,000-square-foot indoor facility moves ahead despite objection from residential neighborhood

Despite a long line of speakers opposing a new cannabis warehouse near the city’s western border, New Britain’s zoning appeals board approved it Tuesday night.

CCC Construction LLC can remodel the 133,000-square-foot Webster Resource Center on Slater

Road into an indoor cannabis farm and commercial distribution center, the board decided.

Several homeowners in the area have been organizing opposition for the past week, arguing that a massive cannabis business isn’t suitable in the middle of a residential neighborhood with four schools nearby.

“This will have an impact on our air quality with the gasses released from the facility in addition to the potent smell from the cannabis growth process,” according to an unsigned letter from a homeowner in the Hillhurst Avenue and Robindale Drive area. “There is no benefit to this facility being in our neighborhood.”

Resident Shelley Vincenzo circulated the letter on Facebook last week, and urged likeminded neighbors to attend the hearing Tuesday night. Dozens did, and various speakers warned that the business would hurt their neighborhood and jeopardize the health of residents.

But the appeals board sided with CCC, which contended that air scrubbers would reduce odors. Since the center will be used only to grow, package and distribute cannabis, there will be no smoke or smell of burning marijuana, the company said.

In mid-december, Mayor Erin Stewart made clear that New Britain would get in on the state’s liberalized marijuana laws when they took effect.

“Cannabis will be legal to sell in CT starting in January & we have decided to embrace this venture,” Stewart wrote in a Facebook post. Her message called on residents to give “a big New Britain welcome” to three businesses that planned to grow or sell marijuana in the city.

The city has already approved two vastly smaller businesses, which will retail cannabis. There was no significant public objection at the time.

But the CCC plan has gotten a different reception. Opponents have been posting heavily on social

media during the past 10 days to warn that it has the potential to harm children.

“There are four schools in a 0.5-mile radius of this building with children breathing this in walking to and from school, waiting at the bus stop right in front of the building, playing on the playground at school,” according to the unsigned letter. “For hours they won’t be able to escape the exposure even at home in their own yard.”

Several speakers on Tuesday night raised similar objections, and opponents were dissatisfied after the vote.

“How does a room full of people opposed to a marijuana cultivation center get ignored in favor of $$$? Every member of the city of New Britain ZBA should be ashamed,” one wrote.

But other residents praised the decision.

“Tax dollars paid at high rates, with stringent rules and high security vs. leaving a massive building empty again,” wrote another resident in a Facebook post in late January. “Seems like a simple choice. Either tax dollars stay here or go elsewhere.”

On Wednesday, Markow said the new project should bring good jobs. Based on similar growing centers elsewhere, the New Britain location will have strong security — and be far safer than a vacant building, he said.

“I went to business school and wrote my thesis on this,” Markow said.

CCC said typical cultivation workers will be paid about $25 an hour. The company has said the new facility will meet all state regulations for security. The building was used for years as a cash storage warehouse for Webster Bank, and has a large reinforced vault and other security features.