40 spots would be dedicated to dispensary, but employee parking lot will be added next door
At Monday’s meeting, the Planning Board will hear from David DiCenso, owner of Keri Plaza and Luna Rossa. DiCenso and Pure Tewksbury Inc. are looking to open a Tewksbury branch of Lowell-based Smyth Cannabis in the former E Market and Thai Bistro locations, at 1699 Shawsheen St.
The dispensary would be about 3,690 square feet.
Patrons of Keri Plaza know that parking can be tight. To address that, the applicant and DiCenso plan to add a new lot immediately adjacent to the site, at 1695 Shawsheen St., to serve employees of the proposed dispensary as well as the existing retailers within Keri Plaza. This will allocate all 92 parking spaces for customers, with 40 dedicated to the dispensary. There will be a walkway connecting the sites for use by employees.
Proponents point out that proximity to Interstate 93 will limit the impact of traffic on surrounding areas. Smyth Cannabis Co. is based in Lowell and has a 15,000 square foot growing facility.
The Planning Board site plan review is the first step in the process of seeking one of three retail marijuana licenses available in Tewksbury. On Monday the board will also hear from proponents for sites at 1 Main St.; 553 Main St., adjacent to Job Lot; and 2122 Main St., next to Donna’s Donuts.
The1693 Shawsheen St. site plan review has been continued to April 24.
Lorna Garey
Lorna is a U.S. Army veteran and 25-year resident of Tewksbury who has written for organizations ranging from the DIA to InformationWeek to a free weekly in New London that sent her to interview the pastry chef at Foxwoods.
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