A zoning ordinance limiting medical marijuana dispensaries to the Shopping Center District has been recommended for passage by the Planning Board to the City Council.
The recommendation emerged from a hearing held Tuesday evening. The City Council will hold its own public hearing on the ordinance this coming Monday, March 4th.
The City Manager Jay Ash and the Council had initially explored the possibility of prohibiting dispensaries from Chelsea altogether. Legal counsel, however, indicated such a ban would not be feasible. To safeguard residential neighborhoods and the Central Business District, the ordinance instead restricts such facilities to the Shopping Center District, of which there are two locations: the Mystic Mall and the Parkway Plaza.
The Planning Board also took action on wireless antennae placement. Members recommended passage of a zoning ordinance that would revise the site plan review process for antennae installed by right on buildings. Under the proposal, the Building Inspector would conduct site plan review for these installations rather than the Planning Board.
•A special permit application by Joaquin Ajtum to convert a two-family residence at 54 Heard St. into a three-family home by utilizing existing basement space received a favorable recommendation. The proposal requires four forms of relief, including parking considerations.
•The Board voted to recommend that the Zoning Board approve a petition from Kevin Stirnweis to change a commercial unit at 118-122 Winnisimmet St. to residential use.
•Bell Atlantic Mobile received a favorable recommendation for a special permit to add 12 antennae to the building at 181-189 Winnisimmet St.