Montville ― The town that is home to the first dispensary in the region is going to take six months to decide on regulations for future establishments.

The Planning and Zoning Commission voted at its hearing last week to set a public hearing for April 25 on its application for a proposed six-month moratorium on cannabis establishments.

The six-month period, which does not yet have a start and end date, will allow commissioners to thoughtfully consider potential changes to the zoning regulations in regard to cannabis establishments and uses, as stated in the commission’s text amendment application.

All text amendments are subject to a public hearing, which will allow residents to voice their opinions on the moratorium and ask questions. The commission will deliberate and vote on the proposed moratorium once public comment is closed.

Land Use and Planning Director Liz Burdick initially provided commissioners with a draft of regulations at its December meeting to review and provide her with comments. The regulations were discussed briefly at a January meeting before the commission decided to hold a special meeting to discuss them further in February.

At the February special meeting, commissioners debated the number of establishments to permit in town and whether applications for cannabis businesses should require a special permit, but could not come to a consensus on how to move forward.

At that meeting, the commission asked Burdick to draft a moratorium application.

Burdick said last week the town has been in the process of researching and drafting regulations throughout the year, though it had been delayed as other projects such as the town’s Affordable Housing Plan and Plan of Conservation and Development took precedent.

She said the town received minimal notice from the state that recreational cannabis sales would begin in Connecticut on January 10 and the town quickly pivoted its focus between Christmas and the start date to prepare.

Burdick credited multiple town agencies and staff, including Mayor Ron McDaniel, Lt. Dave Radford, Fire Marshal Paul Barnes and the staff at The Botantist, the town’s only dispensary, for the smooth opening week as large numbers of customers were expected.

The Botanist previously sold only medical marijuana to patients prior to the legalization of recreational sales.

During the moratorium, new applications for cannabis establishments and uses will not be considered by the commission, but will not have an impact on the Botanist.

Burdick said the six-month time frame was recommended by Town Attorney Matthew Willis. The commission could decide to enact another such moratorium if it does not come to a consensus on regulations.

Burdick said she completed the application on March 16 and referred it to the Southeastern Connecticut Council of Governments. She said by doing so, the council would have enough time to comment on the moratorium and its impact on the region prior to the town’s public hearing.

By state statute, towns are required to contact the council when hearing a proposed amendment to zoning regulations. The council of governments does not have final say on the town’s decision, but rather acts in purely in an advisory role.

k.arnold@theday.com

Editor’s note: This version updates the status of the proposed moratorium to indicate it is subject to a public hearing.