The proposed site for Budr Cannabis at 389 West Main St. on the West Side of Stamford, Conn., faced a setback as the Zoning Board denied its application to open a recreational dispensary. The decision came after a split vote, with two members in favor and two against, while one member recused himself during the May 20 meeting.
Budr Cannabis Co-Founder Carl Tirella Jr. expressed disappointment but vowed to appeal the decision. “We hope to be in Stamford and be a good neighbor to the community,” Tirella said. The company plans to explore other locations, including one near the Stamford-Greenwich border.
Stamford’s zoning regulations prohibit dispensaries from opening within 1,000 feet of public or non-public schools. Budr’s initial location was about 800 feet from the Yerwood Center, which the city’s law department considers a potential school facility.
The Zoning Board has been selective in approving cannabis dispensaries. Last year, it denied Sweetspot’s hybrid dispensary proposal on High Ridge Road but later allowed the store to open under certain conditions. Nautilus Botanicals’ application for a hybrid shop at 1110 East Main St. was also rejected. Ayr Wellness faced a similar fate at 417 Shippan Ave. Currently, Nautilus is seeking approval to open at 1308 East Main St., near the Stamford-Darien border.
Stamford already hosts two hybrid cannabis dispensaries: Fine Fettle at 12 Research Drive and Curaleaf at 814 East Main St. The Zoning Board can approve only two more dispensaries, bringing the total to five in the city.
