A proposed adult-use cannabis dispensary in Bloomfield, where Fine Fettle is already building a 45,600-square-foot production and cultivation facility, was rejected by the Planning and Zoning Commission during a recent meeting,
On Thursday, commissioners unanimously denied a motion to approve the dispensary at 12 Seneca Road, the location of a former beauty parlor. The property is sandwiched between Seneca Road and railroad tracks, near the intersection with Route 178.
The proposed dispensary would have been operated by Mark Christie, a Bloomfield native and founder of FRC Holdings, who holds a social equity license. He had an agreement to operate the dispensary with Killingworth-based Oxford Group LLC, which would acquire the property from the current owner, MCLAD LLC.
Oxford Group applied for a special permit on behalf of FRC.
Commissioners said they thought the dispensary would be more appropriate for the outskirts of town, saying they envisioned a different type of development in the town center.
Commissioners were particularly concerned about the proximity of a preschool daycare at the Bloomfield Congregational Church.
James Winokur, a consultant for the development team, said the location was the prime reason they wanted to develop the dispensary. He dismissed concerns about kids buying cannabis products,