Zoning subcommittee debate abutter notification, buffer zones for pot shops

By Barbara Taormina

The City Council Zoning Subcommittee met for a confusing and contentious meeting on zoning requirements for marijuana establishments this week.

Councillor-At-Large Michelle Kelley proposed a list of amendments that would regulate both the permitting process and the operation of any marijuana business should the City Council move forward and repeal Revere’s ban on adult use recreational marijuana.

Kelley’s first amendment involved excluding the southern side of Squire Road, or the beginning of Squire Road, from permissible locations for marijuana establishments. Kelley argued that the location included a densely populated residential neighborhood. The committee voted unanimously to approve the amendment.

Kelley also proposed increasing the notification zone from 300 feet to a 600-foot radius from any proposed marijuana establishment. The amendment calls for notifying residents by certified mail.

“The amendment speaks to notification and transparency,” said Kelley. “It gives residents the opportunity to oppose any marijuana establishments during the special permit hearing.”

Other members of the subcommittee initially opposed increasing the notification requirement. Ward 5 Councillor Angela Guarino-Sawaya said sending certified letters to abutters within 600 feet would be cost prohibitive. But Kelley said the cost would be borne by the applicants.

“This is an important change in zoning and I think more people should be made aware of it,” said Kelley who added residents often say they were not aware of ordinance changes.

City Council President Anthony Cogliandro said he supported increasing the notification zone.

“The more notification we can give, the better,” he said.

A Charger Street resident told subcommittee members that everyone deserves to know what’s going on in their neighborhood.

“We pay the taxes, we pay your salary,” she said adding, “We deserve to know what’s going on.”

Residents who crowded the Council chambers for the meeting wanted notification letters and they wanted them translated into different languages for residents.

The subcommittee voted in favored of certified mail within a 600-foot radius.

Kelley also proposed an amendment that would delete a section of the proposed marijuana ordinance that would allow the city council the ability to reduce the 500-foot buffer zone for marijuana establishments.

“If we are going to have a buffer zone, I believe it should be strictly adhered to,” she said adding changes in the buffer requirement would erode public trust and give the impression of favoritism.

But Guarino-Sawaya felt the change would take power away from the Council. She asked what would happen if the city had a really good applicant who was 499 feet within the 500-foot buffer.

“This takes away the council’s ability to grant a variance,” she said.

The subcommittee voted against that amendment.

Kelley also proposed an amendment that would limit the number of marijuana businesses in the city. State law sets 20 percent of the number of a municipality’s liquor licenses as the number of marijuana establishments a community must allow. For Revere, that means five marijuana establishments.

“I would like it reduced to two,” said Kelley. “I think that’s plenty.”

Subcommittee members feared cutting the number from five to two, as Kelley proposed, would trigger a required ballot question which would cost the city $100,000.

City Solicitor Paul Capizzi said in Revere, it must be five marijuana businesses according to state law.

Subcommittee members voted against limiting the number below five.

Finally, the subcommittee came to actual buffer zones from schools, parks; places where young people congregate.

Kelley and Councillor At-Large Robert Haas proposed increasing the buffer zone between marijuana establishments and schools, daycare centers and parks from the 300-foot buffer now on the table.

“I’ve had discussions with residents, everyone wants it increased,” said Kelley. “State law calls for 500 feet. I’m asking for 600 feet.”

Haas said at the last Council meeting 1,000-foot buffers were proposed.

“But that would wash everything out,” said Haas. No locations exist.

Residents attending the meeting, most of whom turned out because of their opposition to bringing the marijuana industry to Revere, wanted as much buffer as possible.

“1,000 feet is the size of a whale. The more whales we can put in the city, the better,” said Viviana Catano.

Christine Robinson said the buffer numbers count.

“Every foot counts for the safety of our neighborhoods and children,” Robinson told the committee.

Kelley and Haas also requested that the buffer zones apply to community centers, senior centers and places of worship.

Throughout the meeting, Subcommittee Chairman Anthony Zambuto worked to keep the discussion on the amendments and away from the audience’s overall opposition to marijuana.   He also repeatedly stressed that the committee’s approval of amendments were only favorable recommendations for the City Council which will continue the discussion on Oct. 28.