On March 22, 2016 Three Medical Marijuana companies will be proposing a dispensary license to the Board of Selectmen in Needham. 

One of the proposed locations for a Marijuana Dispensary is 33 Highland Avenue, Needham. 

While we recognize that this dispensary is in the town's designated "marijuana dispensary zone", it nonetheless will affect those residents who live in the nearest residential neighborhood on Highland Terrace, Highview Street and Riverside Street as well as the existing residences at Charles River Hill Landing. Across the street is the Charles River and Charles River Trail which was just recently redone so that the residents of CRL could walk the length to Highland Ave. 

We are against this particular location for a marijuana dispensary and encourage the selectman to pick another location that is not on the main road or so close to residents.

Our Objections:
1) 200 feet from Eliot Elementary School bus stop at Riverside street @ Highland Avenue

2) Parking is not sufficient: 20 designated spaces need to be shared with Mail Store, Nail Salon and another business that will occupy additional empty storefront at 33 Highland ave. Customers will end up causing traffic issues or will spill over into other commercial lots.

3) Across the street from woods and Charles River Trail, easy to go and use

4) Walking distance (less than 750') from Riverside Park, which has tot-lot and hosts pee-wee baseball games.

5) Currently there is a policeman posted outside the Brookline Marijuana Dispensary in a bright green vest, do we want to scare people as they drive into town from Newton with a policeman always stationed there?

6) The legalization of Recreational Marijuana will be on the ballot come this November. If this takes effect, all of the above concerns will become heightened given the proximity to homes and areas where children congregate.