WESTFIELD – The Planning Board approved an amendment to the proposed medical marijuana ordinance following a protracted debate last night.
The board conducted a public hearing last night as part of its process to make a recommendation to the City Council. No members of the public spoke in support or opposition to the proposed ordinance.
The board members did vote to amend the ordinance and on a 5-2 vote to give a positive recommendation to the City Council. The two members voting no rejected the compromise accepted by the majority of members and wanted to further increase the buffer zones around the facilities
Several members sought to increase the buffer zone between dispensaries and places of cultivation from schools, churches and residential property. The ordinance had called for a 500-foot buffer between marijuana facilities and churches, schools and other places where children assemble and 300 feet from residences.
Carl Vincent, the newest member of the board, initiated that discussion when he requested that the buffer language be amended to 1,000 feet from schools, churches and residences.
“I would like us to move it back to 1,000 feet,” Vincent said. “This is still a federal offense and is a cash business because of federal banking laws, a lot of cash that could attract criminal activity, such as money laundering. There are a lot of things we need to consider.”
Vincent was supported by Jane Magarian who said the 300-foot buffer from residential property was not sufficient, especially to protect children.
“I wouldn’t want my children to know that there is a facility there,” Magarian said.
Board Chairman Phil McEwan said that philosophically he was not opposed to a 1,000 or 2,000-foot buffer, but that the ordinance would be so stringent that it would be exclusionary in violation of state law.
“We’re not being exclusionary,” Vincent said. “We’re protecting the citizens of the city.”
McEwan asked if there was a compromise buffer the majority of members could support. Vice Chairman Bill Onyski suggested 700 feet from school and churches, with a 500-foot buffer from residential areas. Magarian and Vincent wanted a minimum of a 700-foot buffer.
Onyski made the motion to increase the buffer from school and churches to 700 feet, but to leave the residential buffer at 300 feet, the distance required by state law to notify residents of special permit and site plans hearings. That motion, which included a positive recommendation to the City Council was approved by the 5-2 vote.
