OXFORD – Requests for both a temporary freeze and a permanent ban on recreational marijuana businesses in town, and a request for a zoning change that would allow business on a 106-acre parcel on Route 56, are the big issues facing voters at Wednesday’s special town meeting.
A zoning bylaw amendment is proposed to change the zoning from multifamily residential use to business on a parcel between Leicester Street (Route 56) and the Massachusetts Turnpike bridge.
Expressed economic development interests prompted the request for the zoning change, Town Manager Brian M. Palaia said in his explanation of articles, which are posted on the town’s website. The change is also recommended in the newly adopted Master Plan 2017-2027, he said. A two-thirds vote is required for the article to pass.
A zoning bylaw amendment and a general bylaw amendment are both proposed to put a permanent ban on the operation of recreational marijuana businesses in town, while another zoning bylaw amendment article is seeking a temporary moratorium.
If no action is taken on the articles seeking a ban, a marijuana establishment could open up in any non-residential district, Mr. Palaia said. He said both zoning and general bylaw changes are sought because the recently enacted state law legalizing recreational marijuana contains ambiguous language.
The proposed temporary freeze would run until Dec. 31, 2018, giving the town time to come up with regulations for recreational marijuana businesses.
A two-thirds vote is required for passage of the zoning amendments, while a majority vote is needed to pass the general bylaw amendment.
If a bylaw amendment banning recreational marijuana businesses is passed at town meeting, further approval in an election in May would be needed for the ban to take effect.
The special town meeting is set for 7 p.m. Wednesday at Oxford High School, 100 Carbuncle Drive.
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