Public Comment Invited For New Cannabis Zoning Regs In Brookfield

BROOKFIELD, CT – The Brookfield Zoning Commission will hold a public hearing on March 28 for an amendment to the regulations permitting cannabis establishments in town.

Brookfield has been operating within a moratorium prohibiting cannabis establishments since May 2022. The moratorium, which has been extended once, is currently set to expire in May 2024.

The moratorium was enacted to allow the Zoning Commission adequate time to respond to new regulations from Hartford which legalized the recreational use of marijuana by adults in Connecticut.

As drafted, this regulation would allow for one cannabis retailer within Brookfield, and one medical marijuana dispensary. No cap on cannabis production facilities — including cannabis producers, cultivators, micro-cultivators and food and beverage manufacturers — is currently proposed.

Medical, recreational and hybrid retailers and cannabis production facilities would be permitted in all commercial and industrial zoning districts, excluding the Marine Commercial and Town Center District, subject to special permit approval. The special permit application procedure requires a public hearing to be held for any cannabis establishment, according to a news release from Brookfield Community Development Specialist Greg Dembowski.

The Zoning Commission would be required to consider specific criteria for each application, including but not limited to neighborhood compatibility, suitability of location, adequate access to utilities and services and nuisance avoidance measures. During this process, the public would be given an opportunity to comment on any application, Dembowski said.

This proposed amendment is scheduled for a public hearing before the Brookfield Zoning Commission on March 28, 2024 in Room 133 at 7:00 p.m. in Town Hall, 100 Pocono Road, Brookfield. Public attendance and/or written comment via the Land Use Department is welcome.