GREENFIELD, MA (FRANKLIN COUNTY NOW) — The Greenfield Zoning Board of Appeals met Thursday and held a lengthy discussion with Josh Levin, Director of Operations at the High Ledges marijuana cultivation facility and their neighbors as High Ledges is seeking an extension of their special permit to include manufacturing.
High Ledges, located at 15 Arch Street, has been open for about five months and is seeking a manufacturing license in order to take fresh frozen live flower and make a hash product from it, which requires a manufacturing license under the Cannabis Control Commission regulations. Currently, the business holds a Tier 1 cultivation license, operating at about 40% of the maximum capacity in Tier 1 which is 5,000 square feet.
Levin explained the existing facility could house the new operations, as it would require cooling their drying room by approximately 15 degrees for one hour once a month with a five ton air conditioner, when it is not in use for drying. Levin explained they have also been working to remedy a noise issue with their HVAC system, which may cost $20,ooo to $25,000.
The neighbors have filed complaints regarding the odor, noise, and drainage creating quality of life issues. The Board also heard a letter from Building Inspector Mark Snow who responded to the complaints filed by two neighbors, which ultimately found the business to not be in violation of their special permit. At the May ZBA meeting, the Board will hear an appeal to Snow’s finding.
The neighbors who filed the complaint, along with other members of the surrounding community came to speak. Multiple residents spoke of an inability to open their windows in the summer due to noise, inability to utilize outdoor spaces, a strong marijuana odor, drainage concerns after the paving at High Ledges, and communication issues with the business owners.
Mayor Virginia DeSorgher came in for public comment as well, stating she had visited the location and residences hearing the noise for herself, and while she assured the Board she was pro-business, she also was “extremely saddened by what has happened on the street” and that it is “life altering for the family and people across the street.”
Levin responded to the comments saying he was unaware of further issues with neighbors after their previous conversations and noted they have replaced filters with new carbon filters, working to resolve the HVAC noise issue, and changed curbing to mitigate drainage issues.
Ultimately, the Board has given the business and neighbors until their May meeting to work together on resolving the issues so they may move forward in deciding on the manufacturing license permit.