Lebanon Selectboard moves to approve Sunrise Agriculture’s Tier 4 cultivation renewal

The Lebanon Selectboard considered a quasi‑judicial public hearing and moved to approve a renewal for Sunrise Agriculture LLC to operate adult‑use cultivation (Tier 4) at the parcel listed in the application record. A board member made a motion "to approve and issue the renewal to Sunrise Agriculture LLC James Folen for adult use tier 4 cultivation up to 20,000 square foot at 1247 Carl Broy Highway" with an expiration date and a condition that fees be paid by a deadline stated in the motion.

The presiding officer opened the hearing and explained that decisions in a quasi‑judicial matter must follow town ordinances and applicable evidence rules. Staff reported that documentation from Rod was on file but that the applicant was not present; members discussed whether the applicant’s absence required postponement and whether any member should abstain. After discussion the motion to approve was made and seconded; the board called for "All in favor? Opposed? Abstain." The transcript does not include an explicit roll‑call tally or a recorded final announcement of the vote.

Why it matters: the town’s adult‑use marijuana ordinance governs licensing and siting for cultivation operations; a Tier 4 facility can be among the larger local cultivators and may have impacts on traffic, utilities and neighboring uses. The motion as read in the hearing included a 20,000 square‑foot canopy limit and fee/payment conditions that the board noted must be satisfied.

What board members and staff said: a board member who moved the motion read the renewal language into the record and stated the canopy limit and the payment deadline. Staff noted the applicant’s absence and pointed to the checklist of required documents; another member said they would need to meet with Rod to learn more about outstanding items before comment. After the hearing closed, the board thanked "James" and moved to departmental business.

Details and next steps: the hearing was conducted under the Lebanon adult‑use marijuana business ordinance (referenced in the hearing). The motion as recorded in the transcript lists an "expiration date of 61627" and a fees deadline of "61726" (as written in the meeting record); the transcript does not clarify calendar formatting for those numeric strings. The transcript does not record a complete vote tally for the motion; the file shows the motion was seconded and the board proceeded, and staff retained the application materials. If the board clerk or town office posts a finalized vote record or conditions in the official minutes, that record will include the formal outcome and any additional permit conditions.