Business

Watertown’s First Marijuana Dispensary Gets Approval from ZBA

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Watertown’s first recreational marijuana dispensary received approval from the Zoning Board, but Town officials will be keeping an eye on lines and traffic at the facility in East Watertown. 

On Jan. 22, the Zoning Board of Appeals approved the special permit requested by Natural Selections to make changes to prepare for adult-use marijuana sales. 

When sales will begin at the dispensary in a building at the rear of the 23 Elm St. is not certain. Chief Operating Officer Aidan O’Donovan said medical marijuana sales will begin when the state’s Cannabis Control Commission gives approval. The group hopes to be on the CCC’s agenda in February.

Business

Network at the Watertown Business Coalition’s Coffee Connect

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The recently formed Watertown Business Coalition invites those interested in connecting to the local business community to its Coffee Connect. Learn more about the newly formed Watertown Business Coalition, network with local professionals, and enjoy some free coffee and snacks. The Watertown Business Coalition invites the following groups to the Coffee Connect:

• All in the Watertown Business Community • Watertown Residents who own a business in or out of town • Entrepreneurs seeking Networking Opportunities • Former Members of Watertown-Belmont Chamber of Commerce • Those looking to connect with business owners in Watertown

The Coffee Connect will be held on Wednesday, Feb. 12 from 8 a.m.–9 a.m. at the New Repertory Theatre Administrative Offices, 400 Talcott Ave., Building 131, 3rd Floor, Watertown, MA 02472

Register to let us know you are coming by clicking here

Arsenal Yards

Groovy Ice Cream Chain Setting Up Shop in Watertown

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Watertown residents will soon be able to grab a Cherry Garcia or Chunky Monkey right in their own backyard. Arsenal Yards announced on its Instagram feed that Ben & Jerry’s will be coming to the redeveloped Arsenal Mall. View this post on Instagram We’ve got a sweet, sweet surprise for you… Guess who’s opening in this gorgeous building later this year?! {yes, you’re going to want to tell your friends 🙌} .

Real Estate

These Properties are Having Open Houses in Watertown This Week

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See the properties having open houses around Watertown this week. $575,000 – 764 Belmont St., Single Family – Detached Ranch, 1,344 Living Area Sq. Ft., 7 Room, 3 Bedroom, 1 Full & 1 Half Bathroom, Open House: Sunday 12-1:30

$449,000 – 105 Evans St. Unit 1, Condo – Detached, 1,018 Living Area Sq. Ft., 6 Room, 2 Bedroom, 1 Full Bathroom, Open Houses: Saturday 12:00-1:30 Sunday 12-1:30

$719,000 – 30 Longfellow Road, Single Family – Detached Colonial, 1,719 Living Area Sq.

Affordable Housing

Watertown Given Protection from 40B Projects by Using Little Used Method

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The Town of Watertown has some protection from having dense residential projects allowed under the Chapter 40B law after being certified by the state that the Town meets a rarely used qualification. Under Chapter 40B, communities in Massachusetts have to meet certain level of affordable housing or else they must allow the construction of housing projects with 25 percent affordable housing. Watertown currently requires 15 percent of units to be affordable new apartment complexes. To qualify to avoid a Chapter 40B project, communities can get “Safe Harbor” by having 10 percent or more of its housing units sold or rented at affordable rates. Some communities have met that criteria, but Watertown does not (it has just over 7 percent).

Development

Large 40B Apartment Complex Proposed for Sterritt Lumber Site

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An illustration of the 40B apartment complex proposed for 148 Waltham St., the former Sterritt Lumber site. Developers proposing to build a 40B apartment complex on the site of the former Sterritt Lumber location will host a community meeting on the project. The community meeting will be held on Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2020 from 7-9 p.m. in the Lecture Hall at Watertown High School, 50 Columbia St. The project is proposed for the Sterritt Lumber site at 148 Waltham St.

Business

Planned Pleasant St. Marijuana Dispensary to be Discussed at Community Meeting

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The company seeking to open a marijuana dispensary on Pleasant Street on the Westside of Watertown will hold a community meeting about the project on Feb. 6. The announcement was provided by Bud’s Goods & Provisions Corp., the firm seeking to open the adult-use marijuana dispensary at 330-350 Pleasant St. The dispensary would be part of the new mixed-use development going up near the intersection of Pleasant Street and Rosdale Road. According to the presentation sent to the Town, Bud’s would occupy a 5,000 sq.

Real Estate

Five Homes Sold in Watertown This Week

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See the three Watertown homes that was sold this week. $535,000 – 50 Olney St., Single Family – Detached Split Entry, 1,794 Living Area Sq. Ft. (Includes Finished Basement), 7 Room, 3 Bedroom, 1 Full & 1 Half Bathroom

$750,000 – 53 Maple St., Single Family – Detached Victorian, 2,216 Living Area Sq. Ft., 9 Room, 5 Bedroom, 2 Full Bathroom

$685,000 – 31 Charles St.