Framingham Marijuana Grow Facility Aims To Save Eastleigh Farm

FRAMINGHAM, MA — Framingham is creeping closer to getting a marijuana grow facility on Eastleigh Farms. On Thursday night, the Planning Board held a public meeting to review the site plans for Commonwealth Farms 1761, which plans on building a two and a half acre cultivation and manufacturing facility in the middle of the 112 acre parcel of land at Eastleigh Farm, 1062 Edmands Road.

Commonwealth Farm 1761 has plans to establish an indoor cultivation facility. Products will be packaged and sold to wholesale dispensaries, not directly to customers. According to the company's business plan, the rent money will help save Eastleigh Farm and allow it to maintain their existing operations on the property.

Attorneys for the company made it clear at the meeting that part of the intention behind the facility was to save the farm. "The land is under the control of the landlord, Dough Stephan — he has made it clear he has no intentions of further developing the land," said Adam Fine, an attorney with Commonwealth Farms 1761's project team.

Eastleigh Farm has been struggling to stay afloat for years. The land was bought in 2002 by the current owner, Doug Stephan, with the intention of saving it from development and reconverting it into a dairy farm. By 2015 the farm stopped selling dairy products and refocused efforts on rebranding and bringing new business in.

The site plan was well-received by the Planning Board, "I think it's a good use, it's commercial, brings in good tax revenue — it meets all the zoning regulations which is good," said Planing Board chair Christine Long. "I actually really like the architecture because I think it fits in really well and you've met all the requirements of keeping the character," Long added, highlighting the barn-style of the building and the company's attempt at blending the facility with it's surroundings.

Vice Chair Lewis Colten complimented the experience the team behind the plan have, noting that the facility and company have plenty of eyes on it. "I think we need to recognize the fact that this kind of project is so carefully scrutinized and so many people are looking at it," Colten said, "What I appreciate is the fact that you're not the first one out of the block here, that you've gone through this process and you know what it's all about."

Drawing a few more eyes to the plan is the company's leader, actor Jonathan Tucker — best known for his roles in HBO's "Westworld," the movie "The Virgin Suicides," and Showtime's "City on a Hill." Tucker's partners in the business include individuals experienced in Los Angeles's entertainment and nightlife industries.

A handful of residents voiced concern at the meeting, the biggest questions focusing on the odor the facility might produce and traffic mitigation. The Commonwealth 1761 team assured the board the building will be equipped with carbon filtration systems to control any odors. As for traffic, the company plans to hire 100 full- and part-time workers, many of whom will park at an offsite location and take a shuttle into the facility. The company told the board only executives and security and others who require direct access to the building will park onsite. One delivery van will be making trips in and out of the facility two to three times a week.

If the business and site is approved by both the Planning Board and Cannabis Control Commission, the company hopes to open the business by next year.

In May, the mayor's Marijuana Advisory Team unanimously voted to recommend the company for a host community agreement, making it the second cultivation facility approved by the city. CareGiver-Patient Connection plans to build a growing facility at 61 Tripp St.