Pubdate: Mon, 24 Feb 2014
Source: Republican, The (Springfield, MA)
Copyright: 2014 The Republican
Contact: http://www.masslive.com/contactus/
Website: http://www.masslive.com/republican/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3075
Author: Peter Goonan

SPRINGFIELD CITY COUNCIL APPROVES REGULATIONS FOR MEDICAL MARIJUANA CENTERS

SPRINGFIELD -- The City Council on Monday approved a zoning ordinance 
that will require any proposed medical marijuana facility in 
Springfield to obtain a local special permit and follow numerous regulations.

The zoning ordinance was approved in a 9-1 vote

Councilor Clodovaldo Concepcion cast the sole "no" vote at Monday's 
hearing, saying he has concerns about crime and how such a business 
would be controlled.

"I will not vote for that today or 100 years from now," Concepcion said.

Under the approved Springfield ordinance, any medical marijuana 
center in Springfield must obtain a special permit from the council 
after a public hearing and must be located within an Industrial A 
zone. In addition, the centers cannot be located within 500 feet of a 
residence and must be at least 500 feet from any school, child care 
center or any other site where "children commonly congregate."

"It's critical that we have protections for the community in place 
regarding these facilities," Council President Michael Fenton said 
following the vote. "When it comes up, we will debate them on a 
case-by-case basis."

On Jan. 31, the state Department of Public Health awarded 20 licenses 
for medical marijuana dispensaries in Massachusetts, including two in 
Western Massachusetts in Holyoke and Northampton. There was one 
application for a license in Springfield at an unspecified location, 
but it did not obtain state approval.

The city, however, moved forward with its zoning regulations to be 
ready for any future applications, officials said. Springfield had a 
moratorium on the marijuana facilities since November, to allow time 
to draft and approve the local regulations.

The ordinance approved on Monday is for both marijuana distributors 
and for any growing facility.

It also requires any developer to submit a detailed security plan to 
the city, to provide contact information to various city departments 
that would be monitoring the operation, and to submit annual reports 
to the city. Permits can be revoked if there are violations of the regulations.

The city's Planning Department drafted Springfield's ordinance, 
largely relying on "model" regulations provided by the Pioneer Valley 
Planning Commission, as sought by several area communities, said 
Philip Dromey, the city's deputy director of planning.

Dromey spoke in support of passage of the ordinance, saying it was 
important to add the city regulations to state regulations. The 
Planning Board recommended approval in January.

No other residents spoke in favor or in opposition at Monday's hearing..

State licenses were granted to Debilitating Medical Condition 
Treatment Centers in Holyoke, run by Dr. Samuel Mazza, and the New 
England Treatment Access in Northampton, run by Kevin Fisher.

Springfield's ordinance was drafted "in such a way to ensure the 
health, safety, and general well-being of the public as well as 
patients seeking treatment," the ordinance states.

In November 2012, Massachusetts voters approved a law to allow 
medical marijuana dispensaries, permitting no more than five 
facilities in each county.

Dromey presented a large map of the city that showed areas that have 
Industrial A zones, while also being at least 500 feet away from 
homes and schools. Ward 8 Councilor Orlando Ramos raised concerns 
about one street in his ward in an Industrial A zone where houses are 
in the vicinity, but was told by Dromey that the council has the 
power to deny a permit if deemed encroaching on residences. 
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom