OLD ORCHARD BEACH — A preliminary suggested ordinance to regulate non-residential marijuana caregiving facilities would not allow a facility that has been proposed on Saco Avenue.

Resident Pierre Bouthiller has expressed interest in creating a facility at 60 Saco Ave. that would lease out space to marijuana caregivers ”“ those who are licensed by the state to grow medical marijuana and conduct medical marijuana research. Marijuana caregivers typically grow marijuana at their place of residence.

The town currently has a moratorium on non-residential marijuana caregiving facilities to allow time for a town ordinance.

The planning board Thursday night took a first look at a proposed ordinance that would regulate such facilities. The proposed ordinance must be reviewed by the planning board, which will make a recommendation to the town council, which has the final say.

Town Planner Jeffrey Hinderliter said Thursday the proposed ordinance was modeled after a proposed ordinance in the town of York, but adjusted to have more controls.

The proposed ordinance would allow non-residential marijuana caregiver facilities in the General Business District 1, or GB-1.

The proposed location for Bouthiller’s business is within the General Business District 2, or GB-2, which runs on Saco Avenue from E. Emerson Cummings Boulevard to the Downtown District 2 boundary. The GB-2 district is to allow primarily home businesses and offices, according to town ordinance.

Bouthiller asked for discussion Thursday night, but was told by planning board members that it was not the time to propose changes or make public comment.

Planning board member Mark Koenigs said the board wants to hear what the public has to say before it makes any changes to the proposed ordinance, and the public will have time to voice their opinions at a public hearing on Dec. 11.

The planning board will further discuss the proposed ordinance on Nov. 13.

Planning board member Eber Weinstein said since Bouthiller’s proposal is the reason why the suggested ordinance is being proposed, it is important the board consider his concerns, and he encouraged Bouthiller to write down any questions and give them to the board.

The proposed ordinance would allow no more than four medical marijuana caregivers to operate within a single medical marijuana production facility. A medical marijuana production facility would not be allowed within 250 feet of another marijuana business, under the proposed ordinance. No signs with the word “marijuana” or pictures of a marijuana plant would be allowed, under the proposed ordinance.

— Staff Writer Liz Gotthelf can be contacted at 282-1535, ext. 325 or [email protected].