Planning board holds informational hearing on Neo Wellness plan to convert 135 Allen Blvd. to adult‑use cannabis dispensary

The Town of Babylon Planning Board on March 24 held an informational hearing on Neo Wellness LLC’s application to convert an existing industrial building at 135 Allen Boulevard in East Farmingdale into an adult‑use cannabis dispensary, attorney John Antelone said.

The applicant presented a plan that keeps the existing 1953 building without additions, modernizes site drainage and curbing, adds defined entrances and a code‑compliant planter along the front, and provides 10 parking spaces (including accessible stalls). The applicant said no zoning variances are required, and that a special permit from the Zoning Board of Appeals would be required for the retail cannabis use.

Why it matters: The proposal would introduce a regulated adult‑use cannabis retail outlet to an industrial corridor near Republic Airport. Board members focused on site circulation, security and cash handling, and the operation’s access and testing protocols.

Project and operations as presented

Attorney John Antelone (Harris Beach) and principal Shaq Ahmed described the proposal. Key points presented by the applicant and design team:

- Building and site: Existing building (CO dated 1953) will remain; no additions proposed. The site will receive new drainage, curbing, defined drives and landscape strips. (source: John Antelone) - Parking: The plan provides 10 parking stalls, primarily in the rear, with one handicapped stall in the front and additional accessible parking in the rear. (source: John Antelone / Harold Gepard) - Use and approvals: The zoning allows the use subject to a special permit from the Zoning Board of Appeals; applicant said the site complies with siting restrictions. (source: John Antelone) - Interior flow and security: The retail layout includes a vestibule with a security guard to check ID, a greeter/host directing customer flow to either an in‑store purchase counter or a to‑go/pickup counter, ID scanning on entry, and a staffed back area to control customer movement. Applicant said staffing would total about five employees and proposed operating hours of roughly 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. as the likely schedule. (source: Abishak/Applicant) - Cash handling and security: The store would accept cash and pinless debit; the applicant said industry practice includes armored-vehicle pickups and that security would be provided by a company with a former detective/sergeant; staffing could include one armed and one unarmed guard. (source: Shaq Ahmed) - Product testing and quality: Applicant stated compliance with state-required Category 5 testing for pesticides, heavy metals, mold and bacteria, and noted products are processed in New York subject to testing and remediation requirements. (source: Applicant)

Board and public questions

Board members asked for a walk-through of interior flow and exterior circulation. The applicant demonstrated two entrance points, an interior greeter and separate counters for in‑store and carry‑out purchases. The architect described drive circulation: west-side entry, one-way circulation around the building and exit on the east side. Staff discussed adding bollards at the dumpster enclosure and possibly a guard to control east-side traffic during opening operations.

A public attendee asked about the business model, enforcement against unlicensed sellers and how licensed retail compares with the illicit market; the applicant said enforcement has improved and reported stronger compliance in Long Island compared with some city areas.

Outcome and next steps

The board voted to close the informational hearing and reserved decision. Motion to close: motion by Ed; second by Juan. Voice vote in favor; numerical counts not specified in the transcript. The board left the record open for written comments and for staff to review outstanding technical site‑plan items. The applicant said deliveries are possible in the future but the immediate focus is opening the retail operation.