Darien officials oppose proposed dispensary on Darien-Stamford border
Last week, the Stamford Planning Board unanimously approved Nautilus Botanicals' proposal to open a dispensary where the Boatyard at Smokey Joe's BBQ restaurant is located on East Main Street.
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Darien officials tell News 12 they oppose a plan to open a recreational and medical marijuana dispensary on the town's border with Stamford.
Last week, the Stamford Planning Board unanimously approved Nautilus Botanicals' proposal to open a dispensary where the Boatyard at Smokey Joe's BBQ restaurant is located on East Main Street. The city's zoning board still must approve the decision.
Nautilus Botanicals' first pitch was for a location further from the Darien border but was rejected by the city due to the lack of parking spots.
Darien First Selectman Jon Zagrodzky says none of the nearby businesses owners or residents he has spoken agree with the decision.
He says the town is looking to prohibit marijuana shops.
"These types of businesses attract a certain clientele. It's going to attract a lot of traffic, it's going to attract a lot of attention. No one I've talked to is in favor of this move," says Zagrodzky (R-Darien).
Many are concerned over how the dispensary would impact traffic and possibly have a negative impact on property value.
Representatives for the dispensary say the impact across town will be minimal.
"The project site is on the easternmost edge of Stamford. This is not in the heart of our residential area. We also submitted our safety plan. This is a particularly safe use for the neighborhood. The retail use that we're proposing is actually less intensive on parking demand than the current restaurant use," says Lenny Braman, partner at Wofsey-Rosen.
Braman says city officials did give notice to Darien officials about the dispensary
Zagrodzky says although the proposed location would be in Stamford, the close proximity to Darien remains an issue and he is asking officials to reconsider.
"When you put a business like this right on our border right next to where people are living, working, running a business or going to school, that's not the best location for this type of business right now. Make your voice heard. If this is something that is not acceptable to you, you need to let people know," says Zagrodzky,
