BLOOMFIELD, Conn. (WTNH) — If approved, an eight-acre plot of land in Bloomfield could be the future site of a new marijuana cultivation facility.

The site, just feet from the Hartford line, would only grow cannabis, not offer public sales.

“It’ll be a secure site,” said Thomas Hooker Brewing Company President Curt Cameron, who also owns the land the cultivation site is planning to build on. “I just think it will be a great addition to the neighborhood.”

AYR Wellness operates facilities in six other states, and is now going through Connecticut’s approval process. Cameron bought the land a couple years ago in hopes of helping control the development in this area.

He said an additional 100 employees at the facility will help area businesses.

“It’s going to fit into the neighborhood, and I don’t think anyone has to worry about anything because the security involved with this type of development is substantial,” Cameron said.

Bloomfield Mayor Danielle Wong said the town is prioritizing smart development and community enrichment.

“I’m encouraged that this particular company is conducting their environmental due diligence on a site that has been vacant for many years and sits within an industrial zone,” she said in a statement to News 8. “I understand there are a number of questions from the public, and would like to encourage residents to come out, advocate and share their concerns with our zoning board prior to a decision being made on a development plan.”

One person who News 8 spoke to was in favor of the Tobey Road site.

“I think it would be good for the neighborhood, and a good use of the property, instead of sitting their desolate for a long time, so I don’t have an issue with it,” said Nancy Walker, who works in the area.

The zoning board meeting began at 7 p.m. on Thursday via Zoom.

During the meeting, public commenters shared their thoughts and concerns over the potential site.

“We are a school nearby and I have many concerns on how this impacts our children. We have children in our facility 64 children, ages six weeks to 12 years old and we are less than one minute from our facility,” said Leah Fleeting, director of the Creative Arts Learning Academy.

Hartford City Counselor Tiana Hercules, who is also a partner of AYR, spoke on behalf of the company and said the facility would set Bloomfield apart as an innovator following the legalization of recreational marijuana in Connecticut earlier this year.

The meeting was still ongoing as of 11:27 p.m.

If approved, the 64,000-square-foot facility will likely be up and running by early 2025.