The Newburgh City Council declared itself the lead agency, as per the State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQR) process, to begin the process of adding revisions to city code for potential cannabis uses. The action was listed as a Type 1, which may require a prepared Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). A public hearing on the cannabis zoning of the various uses of cannabis will take place on May 8 at the city’s activity center.

During the work session on Thursday, April 20, Corporation Counsel Michelle Kelson presented several maps for the council’s review. Each of the maps outlined and highlighted the various uses permitted such as on-site cannabis consumption, industrial uses for cannabis and retail uses of cannabis. Last month in March, the council had addressed comments from the public with regards to three proposed maps.

The first map, Industrial Uses, identified, using a yellow legend, most commercial and industrial uses would be in the West End of the city, south bordering Lake St. and as far north bordering Interstate 84. In gray and green, which identified the city parks, only industrial use was permitted. On the second map, Retail Uses, using an orange legend identified several city areas where retail uses would be potentially proposed which included the Broadway Corridor, downtown in the East End, along the waterfront and the neighborhood commercial overlay zone that included areas such as South St and Williams St. Kelson clarified that these would be establishments where the cannabis products would be purchased and then taken home or usage off-site. In the gray and green legends for that map, on-site consumption would be a permitted use. Five maps with proposed locations for specific zones for adult use on-site consumption, again identified in orange, were shown before council on Thursday night. For on-site consumption, these locations would be where patrons would consume or use the products. Various products would include beverages, drinks or other types of smokeables. Several of the zones included on the maps included mixed-use properties where other businesses currently operate. With a presentation for potential remediation of the vacant land along the waterfront, identified on map 3 of 5, Kelson recommended that the council wait to permit these cannabis uses.

Councilman Anthony Grice said he would wait until public comment was brought on the matter but did address the impact on residents and children with the smell.

Councilwoman Giselle Martinez asked how Liberty St businesses and other businesses not within the identified zones would go about being included in on-site consumption usage. According to Kelson, the business would need to submit an application for a license with New York State which must identify the location of operation. There is no guarantee that a license would be issued for that usage. Martinez also made the recommendation to combine maps one and four. Councilwoman Ramona Monteverde addressed the usage of mobile dispensaries which have not been approved by the state according to City Manager Todd Venning. Mayor Torrance Harvey was in favor of the presented maps except for the first of the five on-site consumption maps which identified the Broadway Corridor. The council will have several weeks before the public hearing on the 8th to address any additional matters and concerns on the proposed maps.