Following a pair of public hearings Feb. 1, Woolwich selectmen unanimously approved a conditional license to SeaGrass Group to grow recreational marijuana. Voters have the final say in a March 17 referendum when several ordinance changes will be considered.

The amendments are needed before SeaGrass Group can get final licensing for its marijuana agribusiness on Sam Moore Road. Select board approval Monday was conditional on SeaGrass Group’s obtaining of a building permit and providing the town office with a copy of a security background check.

Stephen Elie, on behalf of SeaGrass Group, said the hope is to break ground on the growing facility in spring or early summer. The barn-like building will be set back from the road, which is unpaved and screened by trees. The grounds, he added, would be equipped with state-of-the-art security including cameras, monitors and exterior lighting activated by motion sensors.

In response to traffic concerns, Elie said the business was strictly wholesale and there would be very little traffic going into and out of the facility. “We deliver our product to customers, they don’t come to us.” He added, SeaGrass plans to produce four marijuana crops a year. “We’d be a smaller growing facility so our production would be limited.” Minimal signage was planned to draw as little attention as possible. “We want to be out of sight, out of mind.”

Elie added, SeaGrass Group’s goal was to be a good neighbor and community partner. He said after the company got up and running 3 to 5 percent of its net income would be returned to the town to be used as the community sees fit. “Our desire is to be something other than just another company for profit if we’re given the opportunity and this business is successful,” he said.

Planning Board Chairman Greg Buczkowski said wording for the referendum question would be finalized by Monday, Feb. 8. The select board will take it up Feb. 10.

Attendance for the hearing at the town office was limited to 25. Residents could participate remotely via Zoom. Several did. Polling for the referendum will be at the town office from 10 to 5. Absentee ballots will be available Feb. 16. The proposed ordinance changes are the only items on the ballot.

The proposed changes include adding agriculture within the ordinance, defining it as “indoor or outdoor production, keeping or maintenance, for sale or lease, of plants and/or animals, including but not limited to crops, dairy animals, livestock, and ornamental and greenhouse products.”

Another change appears within the definition of home occupation. It states, “Agriculture shall be permitted without meeting the criteria for a home occupation, but may be subject to site plan review.” Marijuana cultivation facilities shall be “treated as agriculture.” Cultivation of cannabis is permitted in the general purpose and rural zones but restricted from all lots fronting Nequasset Road and within 1,000 feet of the lot boundaries of Woolwich Central and Chop Point schools.