Lanesborough Planning Board Reworking Sign Bylaw

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
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LANESBOROUGH, Mass. — The planning board discussed reworking the sign bylaw to make it more business-friendly.
 
During a Planning Board meeting in late December, board members discuss crafting a new bylaw that would strike a balance between being business-friendly and respecting residents' concerns. 
 
"And that's why this has become a matter of saying 'how do we fix this?' How do we go from none of it is allowed to let's try slowly bringing something that makes it look like we're a pro-business community," Vice Member Barbara Davis-Hassan said. 
 
Currently, signs are allowed in town via permit and are subject to the permitting process. The bylaw was also not strictly enforced.
 
Last year after receiving many complaints, the building inspector wrote letters to businesses in town in violation of the current bylaw informing them they are not in compliance with the town's zoning bylaw. 
 
Since then, the town has received many complaints and concerns from businesses interested in putting up banners.
 
Planning board members noted that it is important to determine what constitutes a banner versus something like a flag or sign. They also wanted to solidify how many signs a business should be able to have, what dimensions are allowed, and how to best place signs to avoid problems or confusion in the future. 
 
"The zoning bylaws currently say that you shall not have any moving signs and a banner sign actually has the ability to move" Vice Member Barbara Davis-Hassan said during a follow-up meeting.
 
A couple of board members noted that there is a safety component to this discussion because having too many signs can be a distraction to drivers.
 
Board members agreed that more public comment is necessary to determine the fairest way to rework the bylaw, and they plan to reach out to businesses in the area.
 

Tags: signage,   

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Lanesborough to Negotiate New HCA With Only Dispensary

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
LANESBOROUGH, Mass. Due to evolving state regulations, the town must settle on a new or amended host community agreement with its only dispensary.
 
On Monday, Feb. 24, the Select Board voted to allow Town Administrator Gina Dario to work with counsel towards a resolution.  Dario felt that both parties were willing to come up with a practical solution.
 
Liberty Market, located on North Main Street, has requested a new host community agreement or host community agreement waiver in lieu thereof.  The town was sent a notice of non-compliance from the Cannabis Control Commission in January.
 
"The discussion for the Select Board is whether or not to proceed with either a redrafting of the current host community agreement or a re-negotiation of a new host community agreement that uses a more prescriptive template that is being provided by The Cannabis Control Commission," Dario explained.
 
A couple of years ago, the Canabis Control Commission (CCC) approved changes to the state's adult and medical use regulations including policies that implement the agency's oversight of host community agreements, new equity requirements, and suitability reform.
 
"The Cannabis Control Commission is taking the position that changes to the cannabis laws which went into effect in November of 2022 are retroactive and affect pre-existing agreements, such as the one that the town has with Liberty Market," Attorney Nicole Costanzo said.
 
"Of course, there are some novel legal issues presented as to whether or not the legislative changes do retroactively affect pre-existing host community agreements. It's my understanding that the town does want to work with Liberty Market nevertheless and try and get them a "compliant" agreement for purposes of the Cannabis Control Commission issuing them a license renewal to move forward."
 
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