Town to talk on adult zoning

In the wake of Dedham's approval of new adult entertainment zones on Westwood's border, Westwood selectmen Chairman Patrick Ahearn said his board's concern "has not lessened at all," but he is pleased that "there seems to be a real effort to get a combined solution to this issue that is satisfactory to both communities."

Special Town Meeting passed a revised adult uses bylaw for Dedham last week, creating a new adult district that includes seven parcels on Allied Drive, three of which straddle the Dedham-Westwood line, and another parcel split between the towns whose front end is at 400 Blue Hill Drive in Westwood. Earlier in November, Ahearn and selectmen Nancy Hyde and Philip Shapiro expressed their "extreme concern" about the new district's proximity to Westwood.

But Dedham Town Meeting also tasked a new Adult Uses Overlay District Committee with reviewing the issue anew, asking the committee to study whether the two chosen locations are best. Based on the committee's recommendations, Dedham could change its adult zones again at its annual Town Meeting in May.

Dedham selectmen Chairman James MacDonald said he spoke with Ahearn and Hyde Monday night, telling them he would notify them when the still-forming study committee is set to meet, "so that they would be welcome to come and offer some insights and some opinions on the location."

MacDonald added that the two selectmen boards would probably have a joint meeting sometime after Jan. 1 "and have a conversation, since both towns have a stake in the district." They could also discuss other topics relevant to both towns.

For his part, Ahearn said Westwood's Economic Development Advisory Board has formed a subcommittee to examine the adult zoning issue. He and MacDonald talked about that committee and Dedham's study committee getting together when appropriate, he said.

"It was a good discussion," Ahearn said. "We're still very concerned about it, but it appears that they're willing to work with us on it, and that's a good step forward."

Shapiro said he remains concerned about the proximity of Dedham's adult zones to Westwood, but said "dealing with this quickly with Dedham is certainly the way to go from here."

"People who are particularly near the Blue Hill facility, they're very concerned," Shapiro said of Westwood residents. "They look at it as a direct impact. There are a lot of kids in that neighborhood, and it's not something that anybody wants to take any chances with."

Still, Shapiro said, "It's great that Dedham's following through with their plan to set a process in place, and we're excited about working with them to find something that works better for both towns."

Westwood's own adult zone is on parcels at the end of Dartmouth Street near the Amtrak and MBTA railroad tracks, though no adult businesses actually operate there. Town Administrator Michael Jaillet emphasized that the zone, off University Avenue, is not near any neighborhoods.

Dedham approved its new adult district and bylaw to close a legal vulnerability. The bylaw is awaiting approval from the attorney general's office.

Dedham's only adult business, Amazing.net, is located elsewhere in town, on Eastern Avenue. It originally opened two decades ago before Dedham established its first adult zone in 1991 in the corner of town between Canton and Boston. That zone is being replaced by the new district just adopted by Town Meeting.

Meanwhile, Dedham is accepting applications for the two at-large spots on its study committee until Thursday, Dec. 4. Those interested can apply by sending a resume or statement clearly explaining their qualifications to Town Administrator William Keegan. The nine-person committee will also include two members each from the Board of Selectmen, Planning Board, and Finance Committee, and one member of the Zoning Board of Appeals.

MacDonald said the committee would hopefully meet for the first time before Christmas.

Daily News staff writer Edward B. Colby can be reached at 781-433-8336 or ecolby@cnc.com.