This Week in Government Affairs

CITY COUNCIL MEETING AUG. 2, 2022

Conditions Set for Cannabis Businesses
1:56:30 Special Permit Application was requested by  Ahava LLC at 333 N. Canal St. for marijuana cultivation and product manufacturing. Recommended that the order be adopted with the following conditions:

1. That the owner of the building always pay the commercial property tax rate to the extent allowed by federal, state, and local laws for the duration of the Special Permit.
2. That the business retains a minimum 30% Holyoke residents for non-security jobs.
3. That the hiring preference be given to security personnel that are retired Holyoke police or are a retired member of another police department that now lives in the city of Holyoke.
4. There shall be no marijuana consumption allowed on site.
5. That the hours of operation be set according to City ordinances.
6. That the applicant must abide by Massachusetts General Laws and guidances from the Cannabis Control Commission.
7. That the petitioner/applicant shall conform with city and state health laws, rules, and regulations, including odor nuisance controls, for the duration of the permit.
8. That the applicant will provide the mechanical plans to the Planning Department prior to the project beginning.

1:57:48 Another cannabis business requests a special permit application for Holyoke Smokes Corp at 81-85 Sargeant St.  to create a marijuana delivery license establishment as a warehouse to store marijuana products not open to the public, and to purchase store, sell, and deliver directly to consumers homes. Recommended that the order be adopted with the following conditions:

1. That the owner of the building always pay the commercial property tax rate to the extent allowed by federal, state, and local laws for the duration of the Special Permit.
2. That the business retains a minimum 30% Holyoke residents for non-security jobs.
3. That the hiring preference be given to security personnel that are retired Holyoke police or are a retired member of another police department that now lives in the city of Holyoke.
4. There shall be no marijuana consumption allowed on site.
5. That the hours of operation be set according to City ordinances.
6. That the applicant must abide by Massachusetts General Laws and guidances from the Cannabis Control Commission.
7. That the petitioner/applicant shall conform with city and state health laws, rules, and regulations, including odor nuisance controls, for the duration of the permit.

Invitation To School Chief  and Police Chief
The Public Safety Committee requests that the School Receiver Soto and Police Chief Pratt (and members of their teams as needed) please appear before the Public Safety Committee to discuss and review school safety and active shooter protocols and training in our public schools.

What To Do With Historic Buildings
The Holyoke Historical Commission sent to the City Council for its approval that the commission have three months to research whether an abandoned  building be preserved  buildings and nine months to have the building demolished if it doesn’t meet the  criteria of the commission. More information about the Historic Committee meeting here.

A New Car Wash at Whiting Farms Road?
The discussion about whether to grant a special permit for Gary Rome’s Hyundia business open a car wash. The lenghy debate was largely about how to manage sound controls on the property and whether it should be written into a special permit or whether the City ordinances would make precedents. Recommended that the order be adopted with the following conditions:
1. That the hours of operation will be Monday through Thursday 8:00am – 8:30pm, and Friday through Sunday 8:00am – 6:00pm,
2. That a manager will be on duty during all business hours,
3. That the owner will not allow self service bays at the facility,
4. That the current buffer of trees between the facility and abutting properties be maintained,
5. That the shrubbery described in the application will be planted and maintained on the Whiting Farms side as noted in the application,
6. That if sidewalks are understood to be required, applicant will follow through the requirement,
7. That access to use of vacuums will be part of car wash service and not as a separate available service.
8. Owner will comply will noise ordinances.

Assistant Assessors Post Draws Two Candidates From Out of Town; Debate Ensues
Councilors discussed the city regulation that says that city officers must live in town. Of the five who originally responded to the employment opportunity, only two remained, both from out of town. That is a violation of the city charter. Despite this, the councilors went ahead with a vote and decided to appoint Cheryl Holloway, a former city resident. Her current town or city residence was not available for the public.

Complete agenda here