Pembroke planning board tables Foggy Hill Farms cannabis greenhouse proposal after public hearing

Chairman David Knupfer called the Town of Pembroke Planning Board to order at 7 p.m. on Aug. 27 and opened a public hearing on an application from Foggy Hill Farms LLC to build a commercial greenhouse and head house at 531 Main Rd. After presentations from the applicant and questions from residents and board members, the board voted unanimously to table the application until its Sept. 24, 2025 meeting to allow more time to review SEQR and possible stipulations.

Mike Berger of Sutton Architecture, representing Foggy Hill Farms, and property owner Erik Adamczyk described a two-building, indoor-only operation: a front head house roughly 130 by 65 feet and a rear greenhouse approximately 100 by 33 feet set about 770 feet from Main Road. Berger said the business would be for growing and distributing cannabis, not retail, and that “the project would NOT be a selling facility.” He described the buildings as pressurized and filtered to contain odors, saying they would be “hard” (not fabric) constructions.

Berger said the operation would generally run about 7 a.m.–7 p.m., six to seven days a week, with roughly two deliveries per week. Site plans call for vegetative screening or a berm about 20 feet from adjacent property lines, a driveway cut through woods, roughly 20 employee parking spaces plus one truck space, minimal outdoor storage (possibly used pallets) and estimated construction costs of about $3 million to $3.5 million.

The Genesee County Planning Board reviewed the application and recommended approval with modifications, including adherence to New York State Office of Cannabis Management security requirements (surveillance, perimeter fencing, access control and alarms); obtaining a NYS Department of Transportation driveway permit; completing a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan and obtaining a NYS DEC stormwater permit for construction activity; providing screening if neighbors desire; installing on-site lighting that does not shine onto neighboring properties; and ensuring signage follows Town zoning.

Residents at the hearing raised concerns about odor and dust. Thomas Kocol of 567 Main Rd. asked whether similar operations exist elsewhere in Genesee County and raised concerns about “the smell coming from the buildings and dust from the stone driveway.” Berger replied that each room would have its own filtration system regulated by the state, with filters switched out approximately every six months and a maintenance log to document checks and inspections.

Town Supervisor Thomas Schneider told the hearing that a Special Use Permit must be in harmony with surrounding uses and that Town Code Enforcement could cite violations; if owners did not remedy issues, the Planning Board could revoke the permit. Schneider also said that, under state rules, “a Special Permit cannot be turned down based on neighbors' objections,” and that conditions could be added to an approved permit.

Board members pressed for details about security and staffing; the presenters said there would be interior cameras, door security, background checks for employees, and limited access to storage (2–3 people). Berger said OCM did not require outside security for operations fully inside buildings. The applicants indicated interest in hiring locally.

After reading mailed resident responses (mostly objections) and discussing options, the board chose to delay action. On a motion by Mr. Greg Kuras, seconded by Mr. Kyle Wruck, the Planning Board voted by roll call seven to zero to table the Special Use Permit and Site Plan Review until its Sept. 24, 2025 meeting; SEQR review was held until the board decides how to proceed. The public hearing was closed at 8:07 p.m.; the meeting adjourned at 8:17 p.m.

The board packet and the Genesee County referral recommended a set of technical conditions (security, driveway permit, SWPPP, screening, lighting and signage) that the Planning Board may incorporate or require before any final approval. The application record indicates estimated construction costs of $3–$3.5 million, about 20 employee parking spaces and limited on-site fertilizer and propane storage.

The Planning Board will revisit Foggy Hill Farms’ application at its Sept. 24, 2025 meeting; interested residents were told the hearing would not reopen for public comment if the board chose to table the matter but may attend the meeting.