Seekonk Selectmen Vote to Limit Pot Shops

The Seekonk Board of Selectmen have voted unanimously on a bylaw change which would limit the number of recreational marijuana licenses to be approved to only five – one for cultivator, one for manufacturer, one for laboratory, one for facility, and one for transport. The discussion took place at the board’s August 7 meeting.

Two pot shops have previously been approved. “Let see how it goes,” said selectman Nelson Almeida. “If there’s a need to open a third, a fourth, or a fifth, then we will take a different approach.” Voters will need to approve the bylaw at town meeting.

Developer Charles Tapalian had planned to convert the former Showcase Cinema building into a recreational marijuana growing facility. The property located at 870 Fall River Avenue has been vacant since August 2010. Tapalian bought the property for $3.7 million. Last April, Tapalian withdrew a petition for a zoning change just before a public hearing on the proposal was to be held before the planning board. An attorney for Tapalian sent a letter to town officials informing them the developer did not plan to move forward with the plans. Tapalian had intended to rezone the front seven acres of commercially-zoned property where the closed cinema is located. He wanted the town’s marijuana overlay district extended to allow for a medical and recreational pot-growing facility.