Action Alert: Boston Cannabis Board Hearing - 259 Cambridge St, Allston

[Anthony D'Isidoro]

Hello Everyone,

 

I wanted to notify you as early as possible of the pending hearing before the Boston Cannabis Board and provide you an opportunity to submit written testimony or to make arrangements to “attend” the meeting and to provide oral testimony. 

Some historical context: 

The proponent appeared before the Allston Civic Association (ACA) Executive Board on January 14, 2019 and the Membership on January 16, 2019. 

At the time, the development team consisted of Union Twist COO Marie St. Fleur, a former State Representative from Dorchester and former member of the Zoning Board of Appeal and CEO Amy McNamee, a former Assistant District Attorney.  Their lead security consultant was Dan Linsky, former Superintendent-In-Chief of the Boston Police Department and they were represented by Mike Ross, a former Boston City Councilor. (Enough said) 

The proponent was applying for a co-located medical and adult use marijuana dispensary. 

There has been zero outreach to the ACA since the January 16, 2019 meeting and we are unaware of any changes to the proposal and players and/or any attempt to address the community concerns expressed at the meeting. At the time of the ACA presentation, the proponent disclosed that a number of details both operational and procedural were yet to be worked out. 

Concerns raised:  

 

- Access on Cambridge St – customers loitering in residential community where there are a number of immigrant families with young children in direct proximity of the site. 

-  Access and safety of parking lot off of Empire St – Empire St is a one way highly dense and narrow residential street off of North Harvard St. Exiting Empire St, an illegal left turn on Lincoln St would dangerously cut across traffic coming off of Cambridge St, legally motor vehicle traffic would have to proceed west on Lincoln St, take a right on Royal St and a right on Coolidge Rd to get back to North Harvard St.  Royal St is very narrow as well and along with Coolidge Rd are also highly dense residential streets. 

- Common Allbright (525 Lincoln St) directly across from the project site, is an 80-unit co-living project that includes restoration of the community green corridor adjacent to the project.  The project has been approved by the BPDA Board of Directors and the Zoning Board of Appeal. The developers have expressed interest in eventually redeveloping 500-510 Lincoln St the commercial buildings and parking lot across the street as well. 

This appearance before the Boston Cannabis Board is premature given the community review process had barely started. 

Tony   

  

Boston Cannabis Board Public Meeting 

Wednesday, December 9, 2020 @ 1:00 pm 

Zoom Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82188521115?pwd=R1RxcnBrNTMxM0lBekxBZXVVSHE5UT09 

Meeting ID: 821 8852 1115; Passcode: 276890; Dial In Number: (646) 876-9923  

Members of the public are welcome and encouraged to attend. The BCB will accept testimony regarding each agenda item. Testimony will be limited to two (2) minutes and any additional testimony may be submitted in writing (cannab...@boston.gov). If you wish to testify please sign up online at www.bit.ly/bcbtestimony. 

Please contact the BCB at (617) 635-2330 or cannab...@boston.gov with any questions. 

Agenda 

2. Applicant: Union Twist, Inc.  

Proposed Licensed Premise: 259 Cambridge Street, Allston  

License Type: Retail Recreational Cannabis Dispensary License  

Proposed Hours of Operation: 9:00am - 8:00pm  

Equity Status: Non-Equity Applicant  

Date of Initial Application: December 5, 2018  

Date of Filing with Inspectional Services Department: December 4, 2018  

Date of Community Meeting: February 6, 2019  

Presentation Team:  

Marie St. Fleur, Chief Executive Officer  

Tahira Rehmatullah, Advisor  

Amy McNamee, Senior Advisor  

Michael P. Ross, Attorney 

259 Cambridge St, Allston