City Council

CITY OF SALEM NOVEMBER 13, 2025 JOINT PUBLIC HEARING OF THE CITY COUNCIL AND THE PLANNING BOARD The Salem City Council will hold a Joint Public Meeting with the Planning Board in-person in the City Council Chambers, City Hall, 93 Washington Street, 2nd floor, Salem, MA on Thursday, November 13, 2025 at 6:00 PM. in accordance with Chapter 40A, Section 5, of the Massachusetts General Laws for the purpose of discussing Ordinance to amend an Ordinance relative to Zoning Sec. I, Sec 6.10.12 - Requirements Specific to Marijuana Retailer Establishments - Increasing the number of licenses. An Ordinance to amend an Ordinance relative to Zoning Section, I. Sec. 6.10.12. - Requirements Specific to Marijuana Retailer Establishments of the Salem Zoning Ordinance is hereby amended by adding a new sentence to the end of Sec. 6.10.12(1) as follows: "Effective upon the adoption of this ordinance amendment, the number of available licenses shall increase by three licenses above the prior limit of no more than 20 percent of the M.G.L.A, c. 138, § 15 licenses." A Joint Public Hearing of the Salem City Council and the Planning Board was held in-person in the City Council Chambers, City Hall, 93 Washington Street, 2nd floor, Salem, MA on Thursday, November 13, 2025, at 6:00 PM in accordance with Chapter 40A, Section 5, of the Massachusetts General Laws for the purpose of discussing Amending Section 7 Special Residential District Regulations by adding a new Section 7.4.8.2 Smart Growth Overlay Subdistrict entitled Margin, Endicott, and High Street Smart Growth Overlay Subdistrict (“the Subdistrict”) pursuant to M.G.L. Chapter 40R and 760 CMR 59.00. Notice of this hearing was posted on November 3, 2025, at 12:37 PM. Councillors Absent: Councillor Varela and Councillor Harvey Council President Conrad Prosniewski presiding Planning Board Members: Kirt Rieder, Graham Wing, Tom Furey, Zach Caunter, Josh Turiel, and Jonathan Berk Planning Board Members Absent: Sarah Tarbet, Helen Sides, and Carole Hamilton Others present: Mayor Dominick Pangallo and Planner Robyn Lee Ordinance to amend an Ordinance relative to Zoning Sec. I, Sec 6.10.12 - Requirements Specific to Marijuana Retailer Establishments - Increasing the number of licenses.  CITY OF SALEM NOVEMBER 13, 2025 JOINT PUBLIC HEARING OF THE CITY COUNCIL AND THE PLANNING BOARD Mayor Pangallo presents the ordinance change to increase the cap of marijuana retailers from five (5) to eight (8). And at least two (2) are prioritized for social equity applicants per state regulations. This cap exists in the general ordinance and in the zoning ordinance, which is why a joint public hearing is required. Planning Board Comments JoshTuriel states that the cap is based on the number package store licenses in the city and wonders if the number has increased since its adoption. Previously twenty three to twenty four (23-24) package store licenses and we rounded up to the current cap of five (5). Mayor Pangallo is not familiar with any package store licenses but will find out and share with the Planning Board. Tom Furey asks if Salem is in sync with other cities. Mayor Pangallo can provide this information later date APPEARING IN FAVOR: None APPEARING IN OPPOSITION: Chip Tuttle CEO, Seagrass The market for cannabis is going down. Increasing the cap will negatively impact revenue at existing establishments. Elizabeth Childs CEO, Witch City Gardens Reiterates Mr. Tuttle’s points. Supports the idea of one new social equity establishment, three would be devasting. Tim Haig Director, Starbird Cannabis The financials are difficult for a federally illegal market. Would like the Council and Planning Board to consider existing businesses that may go out of business with the increased cap.  CITY OF SALEM NOVEMBER 13, 2025 JOINT PUBLIC HEARING OF THE CITY COUNCIL AND THE PLANNING BOARD City Council Comments Councillor Morsillo asks about new guidance from the cannabis commission and the impetus behind the zoning change. Mayor Pangallo says that the Cannabis Equity Policy of 2023 spells out technical assistance and reducing financial barriers for social equity applicants. The state also prioritizes licenses with these policies. Councillor Morsillo asks if the state has suggested that the city increase the number of licenses? Mayor Pangallo says that it is suggested that cities that have these policies prioritize social equity policies. Councillor Morsillo asks if a license is returned, do social equity applicants receive priority? Mayor Pangallo says yes. Councillor Cohen doesn’t want to negatively impact existing businesses. Should consider prioritizing replacement licenses. Councillor Jerzylo asks if existing licenses follow social equity criteria. Mayor Pangallo does not know, but the goal is to support growth of industry. He does not want to enforce an arbitrary cap; and there may be no new additional businesses coming. Councillor Cohen asks why social equity requirements are not included in the current body of regulations. Mayor Pangallo states that these designations did exist; there was an evaluation of criteria to meet these designations but none of the applying businesses met the criteria. Planning Board Comments Joshua Berk asks if a cannabis license comes back to the city when a business is closed? Mayor Pangallo does not know. Mr. Tuttle says that Seagrass could sell their license to another operator; but you need an agreement with the city.  CITY OF SALEM NOVEMBER 13, 2025 JOINT PUBLIC HEARING OF THE CITY COUNCIL AND THE PLANNING BOARD Councillor Hapworth moved that the Joint Public Hearing be closed, all in favor. Josh Turiel moved that the Planning Board close the public hearing. Mr. Wing seconded, all in favor. Councillor Hapworth moved that the matter be referred to the Planning Board for their recommendation, all in favor. Josh Turiel moved that the Planning Board adjorn, Mr. Rieder seconded, all in favor. On the motion of Councillor Morsillo, the meeting adjourned at 6:32 pm