Committee Report - Land Use - 1-30-18 — File 205112

Land Use Committee Page 1 of 3 Printed 2/2/2018 January 30, 2018 REPORT OF THE LAND USE COMMITTEE Attendee Name Title Status Arrived Lance L. Davis Chair Present William A. White Jr. Vice Chair Present Stephanie Hirsch Alderman At Large Present Matthew McLaughlin Ward One Alderman Absent Jefferson Thomas ("J.T.") Scott Ward Two Alderman Present Ben Ewen-Campen Ward Three Alderman Present Jesse Clingan Ward Four Alderman Present Mark Niedergang Ward Five Alderman Present Katjana Ballantyne Ward Seven Alderman Present Mary Jo Rossetti Alderman at Large Present Wilfred N. Mbah Alderman at Large Present Others present: Members of the Planning Board, George Proakis - OSPCD, Tom Bent, Charles Sillari - Clerk of Committees. The meeting took place in the Aldermen’s Chamber and was called to order at 6:00 PM by Chairman Davis and adjourned at 6:58 PM. This meeting recorded and is available for viewing on the city’s website. Approval of the November 27, 2017 Minutes RESULT: ACCEPTED Approval of the December 6, 2017 Minutes RESULT: ACCEPTED Approval of the December 12, 2017 Minutes RESULT: ACCEPTED

Land Use Committee Page 2 of 3 Printed 2/2/2018 PUBLIC HEARING ON ITEM #204638 Resident Eric Schwartz discussed marijuana farming and the fact that the medical dispensaries set up a system that gives them a predesigned monopoly and hurts the small businessman. He wants the city to be equitable and fair to those impacted by the war on drugs and he suggested that there be an educational session. He would like a diverse group to form a committee for adult use cannabis. Mr. Schwartz stressed that it is an agricultural product. Cambridge resident and lobbyist Kamani Jefferson discussed ways to give public testimony and provide education for people in the community. 204638: Requesting an amendment to Zoning Ordinance Article 7 to institute a study period to review recreational marijuana facilities prior to permitting them. Mr. Proakis spoke on the item and discussed a proposed study-time period, the medical marijuana study process, city/town governments and the timing of passing by-laws. Most communities require a special permit which allows municipalities to share the revenue from the business, which could amount to 2-3% of sales. The community shows support for recreational marijuana and the prudent thing to do is request a study period to December of 2018. This would not preclude permitting to occur sooner. There is a zoning issue so people don’t use the retail use as a means to open stores. Medical facilities may want to switch to recreational, but will go through the process that is created. There is no proposed zoning change before the Land Use Committee, but there is an item in the Legislative Matters Committee regarding regulations that may be pertinent for this issue. The committee was informed of the public process and told that there is an opportunity for online interactions and meetings. Public comment will be allowed, leading to a draft of a potential zoning amendment. Questions were asked about efforts to offer opportunities to people impacted by the war on drugs and on the legality of the issue in light of the federal government’s opposition. The Planning Board recommended to leave the study period open until December 2018 RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE PUBLIC HEARING ON ITEM #204893 There were no speakers for the Public Hearing. 204893: Requesting the adoption of a zoning amendment to Amend Article 16 to establish that owners or developers of future PUD projects may not seek a waiver of any change to affordable housing requirements. Mr. Proakis discussed other PUD sites in the city and told the committee that even if this item is adopted, there will always be a route to seek a waiver of affordable housing requirements, noting that variances are not often granted.

Land Use Committee Page 3 of 3 Printed 2/2/2018 Planning Board accepted the recommendation of the Planning Department. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE Handout: • Public Comments - E. Schwartz (with 204638)