Littleton Planning Board Moves to Cap Marijuana Cultivation Permits at Two

LITTLETON -- March 7, 2024, Littleton Planning Board moves to cap marijuana cultivation licenses and hears development pitch for 34-acre Foster Street site. The board voted unanimously Thursday to advance an updated subdivision covenant for the 550 King Street Common definitive subdivision, setting a March 29 deadline for finalized plan dates, and directed outside counsel to draft a zoning bylaw amendment limiting marijuana cultivation special permits to the two already issued to Sanctuary Medicinals, a move that may require a subsequent ballot ratification in November. Outside counsel warned that prohibiting micro-business and craft cooperative cultivation license types without a voter ballot could draw an Attorney General challenge. Jay Daugherty, CEO of Cabot Cabot and Forbes, delivered a conceptual presentation on the Long family's 34-acre parcel at 245 Foster Street, describing a possible mix of MBTA Communities housing, senior housing, and a privately capitalized indoor recreation facility through Edge Sports, while warning that no new residential financing has materialized nationally since 2022 and that new units may not reach market until 2030 or 2031. The board also continued the multi-session Sanctuary Medicinals public hearing to April 4 after extended debate over whether a proposed odor-complaint condition conflicted with established Chapter 40A enforcement procedure.