Ron Strider
Well-Known Member
A proposed "urban gardening" business in Quincy Point was shut down this week after neighbors, city councilors and zoning board members expressed concern that the business would end up selling marijuana and associated paraphernalia.
"It's going to be pipes and bongs," said Mike McKenna, one of a dozen local residents who showed up in opposition. "It's going to be attracting undesirable people to the neighborhood."
Quincy's five-member zoning board of appeals unanimously voted down the proposal for 362 Washington St., with some members highlighting the neighbors' concerns about the store that would specialize in hydroponics.
"I think the neighborhood has spoken," said board Chair Martin Aikens before the vote.
Vice Chair Michael Covais said that it was worth noting that the applicant, Hector Moreno, was trying to open a legal business, so the board had to be mindful of the rights he had to do that. But he also cited Moreno's inexperience and the haphazard way he'd gone about applying to open the business in voting against it.
Many of the residents who showed up at the meeting worried about the potential repercussions that having a store related to the marijuana business could have on the quality of life of families living nearby.
"It doesn't belong in a residential area at all," said neighbor Donna Sullivan.
Ward councilors Margaret Laforest and Brad Croall both spoke against the proposal.
Laforest, whose district includes the site in question, said the owner never brought the proposal to her, as is normal for zoning matters.
"I was blindsided," she said. "This isn't how you start opening a business in Quincy."
Moreno, the Weymouth man who was proposing to start the business, told the board that he would follow state law, which doesn't allow him to sell marijuana at this time.
"It would just be equipment and supplies," he said.
He acknowledged that he had no experience running any kind of business, and that anything potentially pertaining to pot would be a "touchy subject." But he said he would have planned on hiring people with experience with hydroponics and in running a business.
Massachusetts voters in November legalized recreational marijuana. Stores that get the appropriate licenses can sell weed starting in July 2018.
The city council has discussed an ordinance that would limit by area where recreational pot shops can go. Ward 4 Councilor Brian Palmucci, who last year was the first to call for such an ordinance to be written, on Wednesday said that the city and council were waiting to see what ends up happening with state law before they move forward with an ordinance.
On Wednesday, House leaders postponed debate on a contentious bill that seeks major changes in the law that voters approved in November. The bill includes higher taxes on retail sales and more control for local officials over pot shops in their communities.
"We're waiting to see what those changes are," Palmucci said. "We have a year. I think with these things it's best not to rush."
News Moderator: Ron Strider 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Fearing pot products, Quincy board shoots down 'urban gardening' store - News - The Patriot Ledger, Quincy, MA - Quincy, MA
Author: Sean Philip Cotter
Contact: Contact Us - The Patriot Ledger, Quincy, MA - Quincy, MA
Photo Credit: pkripper503
Website: The Patriot Ledger, Quincy, MA: Local & World News, Sports & Entertainment in Quincy, MA
"It's going to be pipes and bongs," said Mike McKenna, one of a dozen local residents who showed up in opposition. "It's going to be attracting undesirable people to the neighborhood."
Quincy's five-member zoning board of appeals unanimously voted down the proposal for 362 Washington St., with some members highlighting the neighbors' concerns about the store that would specialize in hydroponics.
"I think the neighborhood has spoken," said board Chair Martin Aikens before the vote.
Vice Chair Michael Covais said that it was worth noting that the applicant, Hector Moreno, was trying to open a legal business, so the board had to be mindful of the rights he had to do that. But he also cited Moreno's inexperience and the haphazard way he'd gone about applying to open the business in voting against it.
Many of the residents who showed up at the meeting worried about the potential repercussions that having a store related to the marijuana business could have on the quality of life of families living nearby.
"It doesn't belong in a residential area at all," said neighbor Donna Sullivan.
Ward councilors Margaret Laforest and Brad Croall both spoke against the proposal.
Laforest, whose district includes the site in question, said the owner never brought the proposal to her, as is normal for zoning matters.
"I was blindsided," she said. "This isn't how you start opening a business in Quincy."
Moreno, the Weymouth man who was proposing to start the business, told the board that he would follow state law, which doesn't allow him to sell marijuana at this time.
"It would just be equipment and supplies," he said.
He acknowledged that he had no experience running any kind of business, and that anything potentially pertaining to pot would be a "touchy subject." But he said he would have planned on hiring people with experience with hydroponics and in running a business.
Massachusetts voters in November legalized recreational marijuana. Stores that get the appropriate licenses can sell weed starting in July 2018.
The city council has discussed an ordinance that would limit by area where recreational pot shops can go. Ward 4 Councilor Brian Palmucci, who last year was the first to call for such an ordinance to be written, on Wednesday said that the city and council were waiting to see what ends up happening with state law before they move forward with an ordinance.
On Wednesday, House leaders postponed debate on a contentious bill that seeks major changes in the law that voters approved in November. The bill includes higher taxes on retail sales and more control for local officials over pot shops in their communities.
"We're waiting to see what those changes are," Palmucci said. "We have a year. I think with these things it's best not to rush."
News Moderator: Ron Strider 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Fearing pot products, Quincy board shoots down 'urban gardening' store - News - The Patriot Ledger, Quincy, MA - Quincy, MA
Author: Sean Philip Cotter
Contact: Contact Us - The Patriot Ledger, Quincy, MA - Quincy, MA
Photo Credit: pkripper503
Website: The Patriot Ledger, Quincy, MA: Local & World News, Sports & Entertainment in Quincy, MA
