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Mayor Judith Flanagan Kennedy
BY BRIDGET TURCOTTE
LYNN — Despite the controversies associated with medical marijuana dispensaries, the mayor and city councilors launched a discussion on a possible medical marijuana overlay district in the city.
Mayor Judith Flanagan Kennedy said the proposed overlay district gives the city control over where a medical marijuana dispensary would be located. It would allow officials to work with police on the best site.
She has met with representatives for three or four dispensaries during the last six months and said she was impressed by their presentations.
“Most, if not all, are being run by very competent individuals,” she said. “All the proposals are very thought out.”
The mayor plans to work with councilors to determine if the city will submit a letter of support or so-called “letter of non- opposition” for a specific clinic.
The mayor said she is closely examining security proposals submitted by dispensaries.
“These are very often all-cash businesses,” she said.
Before a city council meeting Tuesday night, the Ordinance and Rules Committee discussed a potential amendment to the city’s zone ordinance that would create the district. It could include 453-543 Lynnway, two sites on Commercial Street and along Route 107 from the Belden Bly Bridge to the intersection of Western and Murphy avenues.
“I know this is a hot topic,” said Councilor Darren Cyr. “I’m opposed to pot dispensaries opening up in any part of the city. But, I’m also a realist. I think it’s important that we come up with some sort of plan.”
James Lamanna, a city attorney, said without declaring a district, there is the potential for a dispensary to be opened anywhere.
“If no place is designated, they can go anywhere after a court hearing,” he said. “I’m very confident we would not be able to defend those orders.”
Councilor Peter Capano expressed concerns about the locations and questioned whether alternative sites might be better suited for a dispensary.
“I’m not sure it would be good for residential neighborhoods or not,” Capano said. “I’ve heard that people don’t want them near residential neighborhoods. These are all near residential neighborhoods.”
Dan Cahill, city council president, said there would be an opportunity to make amendments throughout the public hearing process, which will begin May 3 at City Hall. At that time, councilors will hear from the public safety, economic development and several departments.
City councilors also discussed a change to polling places for the November presidential election, in anticipation of record voter turnout.
There are many voters who come out on presidential election years to cast votes, City Clerk Mary Audley said.
The polling places for Wards 3 and 4 are at Lynn English High School and the Lynn Museum. But councilors fear both locations might lack adequate parking.
Ward 4 voters living in the neighborhoods near Union, Essex, and Ocean Streets voted at North Shore Community College until construction began at the college. The Ward 4 polling place was moved to the Lynn Museum.
City councilors voted to change the polling place for Ward 3 from Lynn English High School to the new Marshall Middle School on Brookline Street, which opened this past Monday.
Audley said she will gather information about the other polling places for the council to review and vote on any additional changes in the coming weeks. Locations for Wards 1, 2 and 4 are currently in question.
“Its very difficult to please everybody,” Audley said. “I’ll do some research and (come up with) a breakdown of what is feasible to do.”
Bridget Turcotte can be reached at bturcotte@itemlive.com. Follow her on Twitter @BridgetTurcotte.