WESTFIELD – Two ordinances regarding marijuana establishments in the City of Westfield were up for a second reading and final passage at Thursday’s City Council meeting after making their way through the Planning Board and the Legislative & Ordinance Committee.
Ward 2 Councilor Ralph J. Figy (WNG File Photo)
The first ordinance, amending Article IV Section 4-90 zoning for Medical Marijuana Uses, combines medical and recreational marijuana facilities and changes the location to only Industrial A, eliminating the special use allowance in Business B. The ordinance also prohibits sites within 500 feet of schools and 300 feet from residential.
Before passage of this ordinance, Ward 2 Councilor Ralph J. Figy proposed an amendment to the buffer zones, to add unless the Planning Board issues a special permit.
“In ZPD, we thought of keeping the ordinance without allowing special permit by the Planning Board,” said At-large Councilor Dave Flaherty, who chairs the Zoning, Planning and Development committee.
Figy said the Planning Board will issue special permits, but the City Council still controls where the shops are located in Industrial A. “It may never need to be used, but it may. I was approached by a business in my Ward,” Figy said. The majority of the Council voted for final passage of the ordinance as amended.
The second marijuana ordinance, which was more general and addressed hours of operation and numbers of permits, was also brought forward by L&O for a second reading and final passage.
At-large City Councilor David Flaherty (WNG File Photo)
Flaherty said the ZPD committee also discussed the process for a business to get a license, and asked to work together with L&O on how to select vendors. Flaherty also said that he would be voting no on all marijuana ordinances. “I’ve been a scout leader for 30 years, and have been telling the kids not to use recreational drugs,” Flaherty said.
Figy did not oppose the motion to return the ordinance to committee, and said it would be considered at the next meeting on Sept. 12.
Also kept in committee for the next L&O meeting was the resolution to accept a local option excise tax on the retail sale of marijuana at the maximum allowed by the state of 3%.
Following the meeting, Figy said they would like to explore what options are available for use of the 3% excise tax, adding that he would like to see a portion of it directed to Parks & Recreation in the city.
