Cannabis dispensaries
The City Council on Thursday began discussing a proposed ordinance to cap at 12 the number of retail marijuana dispensaries in Northampton. The measure was referred to the Committee on Legislative Matters, of which I am a member, for further deliberation during a virtual meeting at 5 p.m., Monday, Jan. 9, 2023.
There had been 12 adult-use dispensaries operating in Northampton (including two that also offer medical marijuana treatment), until Friday, when The Source, 58 Pleasant St., closed. Two other host community agreements have been signed, including one for two separate sites.
The proposed cap would exclude any proposed marijuana establishment that already has a signed lease for a Northampton property when the ordinance takes effect.
It also would exclude any applicants who qualify as social equity candidates as defined by the Cannabis Control Commission. Information about the Social Equity Program is available at: https://masscannabiscontrol.com/equity-programs/
Although the City Council does not have jurisdiction over host community agreements for specific marijuana establishments, it could place a cap on the number of dispensaries allowed in Northampton. In 2018, the City Council rejected a proposed cap of 10. City councilors are responding to some residents who are now calling for renewed consideration of a cap on cannabis dispensaries.
Resilience Hub
Mayor Gina-Louise Sciarra asked the City Council on Thursday to appropriate $1 million in American Rescue Plan Act money for costs associated with acquiring the former First Baptist Church at 298 Main St. for use as the Community Resilience Hub.
The City Council is expected to give final approval to the request during its first virtual meeting of 2023 at 7 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 5.
The money would be used to complete studies to ensure that the 14,500-square-foot building can be converted to the hub, and to pay part of the acquisition cost. The city has an option to pay $3.3 million for the building, which has been vacant since 1993 when it was purchased by Eric Suher, owner of the Iron Horse Entertainment Group.
The city has sought a suitable location since the 2019 report “A Downtown Northampton for Everyone: Residents, Visitors, Merchants, and People At-Risk” identified the need for such a resource center. It would be used as a day center with programs and services for vulnerable residents, including those who are homeless, a community space and an emergency response center during crises.
City officials expect that renovations of the building will begin next year and that its conversion to the hub will be completed in stages.
The city already has designated $1,610,000 in cannabis mitigation funds, $506,872 in Community Development Block Grants, a $200,000 gift from Smith College, and $53,268 in other donations to purchase the site and associated costs in establishing the Resilience Hub. Community Action Pioneer Valley is the city’s social service partner as the lead operating agency for the hub, which will also serve as a home for the new Department of Community Care.
Climate Change Mitigation Stabilization Fund
Mayor Gina-Louise Sciarra asked the City Council on Thursday to create a Climate Change Mitigation Stabilization Fund and to approve an initial appropriation of $3 million in American Rescue Plan Act money.
The Committee on Finance, of which I am a member, will discuss the proposal during its virtual meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 3. It is expected to issue a recommendation for consideration by the full City Council during its virtual meeting at 7 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 5.
The fund would be used to pay for operating costs and long-term capital projects to meet the city’s goal of becoming a net carbon-neutral city by 2050 and support goals established by the Resilience and Regeneration Plan to mitigate the impacts of climate change.
YMCA outdoor improvements
The Planning Board on Dec. 8 unanimously approved the site plan for outdoor improvements at the Hampshire Regional YMCA, 286 Prospect St.
The plans include a new permanently covered pavilion next to the building and behind the parking lot off Woodlawn Avenue, and two upgraded spaces near the existing playground that could be covered temporarily by shade sails, Also, a fenced play area with a shade sail is proposed for the front of the building near Prospect Street.
The Planning Board specified that lights in the pavilion be turned off by 9 p.m., and that the YMCA guarantee that it will meet the requirements of the ordinance prohibiting noise louder than 65 decibels between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m., and 55 decibels from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m.
The upgraded outdoor areas would be used for a variety of activities, including exercise classes, summer camps and child-care programs. These improvements planned for 2023 are the first of three phases to upgrade the YMCA building and its grounds. A capital campaign also is planned for 2023.