The debate over recreational marijuana shops in Boston continued Tuesday, with a site being proposed for right across from the Prudential Center.
Hopeful recreational marijuana businesses are popping up with prospective planes to open up shop in every corner of the city.
“At a minimum 51 retail licenses, that’s 51 stores that will be coming to the city of Boston," Michael Dundas said.
Dundas, founder and CEO of Sira Naturals, made his plea for a proposal at 829 Boylston at a packed community meeting at the Boston Public Library.
“We think this location is appropriate for the use," Dundas said. "It’s the ideal location for an adult cannabis establishment here in the city of Boston."
There's a half-mile buffer zone ordinance in Boston, saying adult use pot shops must be at least a half mile apart.
That would put the spot staked out by Dundas and Sira Naturals on shaky ground, closer than that to other pot businesses hoping to open.
But, a city spokesman explained that there is a potential avenue around the issue.
"Even if the buffer exists, you can request relief from the Zoning Board of Appeals," a spokesman said.
Martyn Roetter, chairman of the Neighborhood Association of the Back Bay, called it a concerning policy shfit without clarification, questioning if the city is prepared to deal with the influx of applicants.
"I’m not going to say the city doesn’t know what it’s doing, but whatever it is, it’s not clear to us or residents," Roetter said.
Dundas explained what he said his business is prepared to do: trying to minimize any noticeable crowds, including not making people wait in line, but instead taking their numbers at the front door and sending out texts like restaurants do.
Not everyone in attendance, however, was buying it.
"This is a focal point for this city, this is the Boston Marathon," one Back Bay resident said. "Copley Square, there are people here constantly."
Residents said the idea seemed "out of your control," with all of the traffic in the area already.
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"You've painted an innocuous picture of what happens outside of a pot shop," a Back Bay resident said.
But, there was also plenty of support for the proposal, with some of it coming from other entrepreneurs. like Ed Borash, who owns Sir Speedy on Boylston Street.
Borash said he believes a pot shop would help bring in a steady stream of business to the area.
"It's kind of like bringing a Best Buy here," Borash said. "It's legal. If we don't let professionals come in, we might get elements that aren't professional."