Katelyn Baker
Well-Known Member
Springfield — The City Council has scheduled a public hearing on Monday night to consider approving plans for a medical marijuana dispensary on Cottage Street in East Springfield that includes a special permit and host community agreement that details the company's around-the-clock security systems and annual payments to the city.
The council hearings begin at 7 p.m., in the council chambers at City Hall.
Hampden Care Facility Inc., of Chicopee, is requesting the special permit for the medical marijuana facility proposed at 506 Cottage St., in one section of a building that also houses Fontaine Bros. Inc., and is within an Industrial A zone.
Two separate votes are needed for the Cottage Street project: a special permit to allow use of that property and lists conditions such as parking, building access and security procedures; and a host community agreement negotiated with Mayor Domenic J. Sarno and his top advisers that lists various conditions including annual revenue payments to the city.
The company will also need approval from the state Department of Public Health.
In February, Hampden Care Facility was selected by a city review committee as having submitted the "most advantageous" proposal from among six submitted marijuana dispensary plans.
Its formal security plan includes: a perimeter alarm on all entry points; 24-hour security; panic alarms connected to law enforcement authorities; limited access entry points; back-up generators and security lighting, according to a city Planning Department analysis report.
In addition, the plan stipulates there will be surveillance cameras in all areas that may contain marijuana, at all points of entry/exits, and in all parking areas.
The facility will not be involved in the growing of marijuana, planning to receive deliveries from an Easthampton growing operations, according to plans.
As negotiated with the city, under a proposed host community agreement, Hampden Care Facility will make annual payments listed as "donations" to the city.
In addition, either the owner of the property or Hampden Care Facility must pay the annual real estate taxes. The landlord is listed as Fontaine Investment Corp.
The annual donations to the city begin in the calendar year 2017, with Hampden Care Facility donating 3 percent of its gross revenue to the city and $50,000 directly to the Springfield Police Department.
The donations to the city will rise to 4 percent of its gross revenues in 2018, and 5 percent of its gross revenues each year in 2019, 2020 and 2021, along with $50,000 to the Police Department each year.
The annual donation rises to 6 percent, paid each year in 2022, 2023 and 2024 before rising to 7 percent beginning in 2025, and continuing in successive years, coupled with continued donations of $50,000 to the Police Department each year.
The host community agreement permits renegotiation of the annual donation under several conditions.
The Planning Department, in its report to the City Council, states the city staff "firmly believes that Hampden Care Facility Inc., has provided a detailed outline of its proposal and has addressed all the concerns outlined by the many city departments participating in the RFP (request for proposals) review."
News Moderator: Katelyn Baker 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: City Council Considers Approval Of Medical Marijuana Dispensary In East Springfield
Author: Peter Goonan
Contact: Mass Live
Photo Credit: Cannabis Culture/Flickr
Website: Mass Live
The council hearings begin at 7 p.m., in the council chambers at City Hall.
Hampden Care Facility Inc., of Chicopee, is requesting the special permit for the medical marijuana facility proposed at 506 Cottage St., in one section of a building that also houses Fontaine Bros. Inc., and is within an Industrial A zone.
Two separate votes are needed for the Cottage Street project: a special permit to allow use of that property and lists conditions such as parking, building access and security procedures; and a host community agreement negotiated with Mayor Domenic J. Sarno and his top advisers that lists various conditions including annual revenue payments to the city.
The company will also need approval from the state Department of Public Health.
In February, Hampden Care Facility was selected by a city review committee as having submitted the "most advantageous" proposal from among six submitted marijuana dispensary plans.
Its formal security plan includes: a perimeter alarm on all entry points; 24-hour security; panic alarms connected to law enforcement authorities; limited access entry points; back-up generators and security lighting, according to a city Planning Department analysis report.
In addition, the plan stipulates there will be surveillance cameras in all areas that may contain marijuana, at all points of entry/exits, and in all parking areas.
The facility will not be involved in the growing of marijuana, planning to receive deliveries from an Easthampton growing operations, according to plans.
As negotiated with the city, under a proposed host community agreement, Hampden Care Facility will make annual payments listed as "donations" to the city.
In addition, either the owner of the property or Hampden Care Facility must pay the annual real estate taxes. The landlord is listed as Fontaine Investment Corp.
The annual donations to the city begin in the calendar year 2017, with Hampden Care Facility donating 3 percent of its gross revenue to the city and $50,000 directly to the Springfield Police Department.
The donations to the city will rise to 4 percent of its gross revenues in 2018, and 5 percent of its gross revenues each year in 2019, 2020 and 2021, along with $50,000 to the Police Department each year.
The annual donation rises to 6 percent, paid each year in 2022, 2023 and 2024 before rising to 7 percent beginning in 2025, and continuing in successive years, coupled with continued donations of $50,000 to the Police Department each year.
The host community agreement permits renegotiation of the annual donation under several conditions.
The Planning Department, in its report to the City Council, states the city staff "firmly believes that Hampden Care Facility Inc., has provided a detailed outline of its proposal and has addressed all the concerns outlined by the many city departments participating in the RFP (request for proposals) review."
News Moderator: Katelyn Baker 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: City Council Considers Approval Of Medical Marijuana Dispensary In East Springfield
Author: Peter Goonan
Contact: Mass Live
Photo Credit: Cannabis Culture/Flickr
Website: Mass Live
