PALMER – Nearly 20 residents gathered in the Palmer Police Station Meeting Room on Sept. 12 to voice their concerns and ask questions regarding the cannabis establishment set to occupy a portion of the existing building at 111b Breckenridge St.

A public hearing on the matter was continued from the Aug. 15 Planning Board meeting until Sept. 12. Due to the lack of necessary information required for approval, the public hearing was once again continued until their Oct. 3 meeting.

Administrative Assistant Rebekah Wright explained that the applicant, Oraka Wellington, is seeking a special permit and site plan approval to renovate a portion of the existing building and to construct an approximately 3,000-square-foot cannabis cultivation facility.

Director Brian Geaudreau of Hancock Associates, the engineers on the project, attended the Sept. 12 meeting to provide a status update and answer questions. Wellington and his team also sat in on the meeting.

Geaudreau explained that they are still working on addressing some items such as security, odor control, the Water and Sewer Department, and the Police and Fire departments. “[Wellington] and his team have met with these various departments within the town. We don’t have any specific letters to report back yet and submit to the board,” said Geaudreau. However, he noted that the process is underway, and information should be provided soon.

In terms of adjustments being made to the existing site, Geaudreau said there are two aspects to it: the interior set up for the cultivation facility and exterior improvements.

Since the last Planning Board hearing, Geaudreau said they went before the Conservation Commission, to which the commission issued an “Order of Conditions” for site work. He explained that the Conservation Commission was involved due to wetlands located to the east and north of the property.

“The work that we are proposing [generally speaking] is site clean-up,” continued Geaudreau. There is quite a bit of material on-site if you will and that’s all going to be removed and disposed [of].”

He noted that they will be paving an Americans with Disabilities (ADA) accessible space next to the entrance. Additionally, as part of the regrading activities, they will also be able to install storm water control as there is currently nothing in place.

After listening to questions and concerns during the last public hearing, Geaudreau said they have been able to address a few of them. For instance, some residents expressed concern about increased traffic.

“We did a traffic impact analysis and utilized Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE),” he shared. “That’s a standard industry handbook that basically you look up a code use of a warehouse, a restaurant, bank, that gives you a trip generation based on square footage, employees or customers.”

As this facility is equivalent to warehouse use and there is no public access, Geaudreau said the only trip generation is the employees and the occasional delivery trucks.

Chairman Michael Marciniec asked if they received a cut sheet for odor control. Geaudreau said they have not yet received this, but it is in the works.

Pauline Garcia, who lives behind the future cultivation facility, said she is primarily worried about the odor that might stream from the building. She also shared local stories with the board regarding mold complaints and issues with existing marijuana facilities in Monson and Holyoke.

Marciniec reiterated that they are still waiting on information with odor control. “We are going to continue this hearing. If we get [the information] before the next hearing, then it will be available [to the public].” He added that no construction or activity on this site will begin until it is approved by the board.

A motion was made to continue this hearing until the next Planning Board meeting on Oct. 3 at 7 p.m.

The motion was seconded and unanimously approved.