To the Editor:
A group of concerned Hull citizens has recently sent the following letter to Hull town officials due to the enormity and criticality of a proposal to repurpose the building located at 120 Nantasket Avenue for use as a marijuana grow site, manufacturing, and dispensing facility. The letter accompanies a publication, “Guide to Marijuana Facilities Design,” written by AIA Trust, attorneys who advise architects in risk management. The document objectively points out the many risks, real dangers, and liabilities associated with this emerging industry. It contains information on a wide variety of pertinent topics including but not limited to health and safety hazards, environmental threats, and fires and explosions. We hope residents will take the time to read this informative publication (using the link provided) to fully understand the dire threat to our beloved Nantasket Beach and the entire coastal community of Hull. There is far too much at stake to do any less. The publication can be viewed at https://www.theaiatrust.com/filecabinet/Guide-Marijuana-Facilities-Design.pdf
Please find enclosed for your review a publication written by two attorneys to assist architects with the management and mitigation of risks involved in the design, construction, and repurposing of buildings to be used for marijuana grow site and dispensaries. Although the article’s tone and purpose are advisory, its substance is the best objective argument we have found in our research of the numerous risks, dangers, and liabilities associated with the emerging industry.
Our objections, far outreaching a “not in my backyard” attitude, reflect our profound concern for Nantasket Beach and the adjacent residential neighborhoods and businesses.
The publication outlines in detail risks to the following:
• Public safety
• The environment
• The health of adjacent tenants or abutters
In addition to these hugely significant issues, the attorneys advise on an issue specific to 120 Nantasket Avenue, namely the repurposing of a building to a cannabis grow site, manufacturing site, and/or dispensary. They counsel, “The environment required for a grow room can wreak havoc on a structure built for other enterprises.” A further finding states that many big box buildings have not been designed to handle the unique problems and dangers of a dispensary or grow site. They point out that these risks are heightened “even more in cold climates.” If the necessary research and planning were conducted, the decision to include the former Aquarium building in the Marijuana Overlay District is indeed confounding and leaves area residents deeply perplexed.
The respected group of attorneys emphasizes the likelihood of lawsuits. “Those in the marijuana industry are not reluctant to lawsuits,” and cite numerous effects considered a public and/or private “nuisance”. They point out significant dangers such as CO2 hazards, electrical overloads, fires, and explosions, while also asserting that the rights of a community to enjoy the quality of life are fully protected under the law.
At this point, we remain hopeful that those advising and involved in the granting of a host community agreement have thoroughly investigated the risks, dangers, and liabilities, and unexpected consequences outlined in the enclosed article. We believe the information given here would greatly assist in making the following determination: 120 Nantasket Avenue, a heavily congested area, adjacent to densely populated neighborhoods frequented by families and children, and surrounded by restaurants and businesses, does not warrant consideration for a cannabis dispensary nor cannabis grow site. Our hope is that the leaders of the town of Hull will inform the citizens that the exponential risks, burdens, and liabilities to the town and its citizenry far outweigh the promise of potential financial remuneration.
Concerned Citizens to Protect Nantasket Beach,
citizens2protectnantasketbeach@gmail.com
David Citron, Pauline Rowe, David Lewis, Maria Argos Barber, Marie & Bill Schleiff, Linda Breen, and David H. Dunlap – NCARB ARA, ALONG WITH THE 3,150 concerned citizens who have signed the Protect Nantasket Beach petition at https://www.change.org/p/protect-nantasket-beach
