Town of Newburgh Planning Board approves amended site plan for Cannabis Huts/Guru Baba at 5306 Route 9W

The Town of Newburgh Planning Board voted unanimously June 4 to approve an amended site plan and special use permit for Cannabis Huts / Guru Baba, a proposed retail cannabis dispensary at 5306 Route 9W.

The dispensary will occupy roughly 2,040 square feet of an existing service station structure on a 1.65-acre parcel, according to applicant Joseph Saffioti. Planning staff and the board said the use is permitted under Town Code Chapter 185-48.9 and is regulated by state licensing; the project was classified as a Type II action under SEQRA.

Public comment at the hearing focused on neighborhood safety, the concentration of cannabis retailers and youth exposure. Resident Joann told the board she was "very concerned about the crime rate" near the neighborhood and asked why this would be the "ninth cannabis" outlet in town. Lauren, a school nurse speaking during public comment, described treating students for THC-related illness and said she had administered naloxone to students in recent years.

Board legal counsel Dominic Cordisco repeatedly told attendees that the Planning Board's review is limited to site-specific issues and compliance with the code. "This Board doesn't have the ability to say 'eight is enough,'" Cordisco said, explaining that limits on the number of dispensaries or moratoria would need action by the Town Board.

Planning staff noted technical points and existing approvals: Pat Hines said the local ordinance follows the state's model and that state licensing and security requirements apply; Jim Campbell confirmed applicable code requirements including the local spacing/distance provisions. The applicant said his clients operate related retail businesses and would source cannabis from state-authorized suppliers.

The board approved conditions of approval that require the applicant to maintain an active New York State retail cannabis license, to return to the Planning Board for re-approval if the license transfers or expires, and to seek board review for any expansion or for changes in allowable products that might result from state law changes. Attorney Cordisco also said only activities described in the application are permitted at the site.

The board closed the public hearing by motion and carried a resolution approving the amended site plan and conditions. Planning staff reminded the public that policy concerns about limiting dispensary numbers or imposing a moratorium are matters for the Town Board; staff and board members encouraged residents to bring those policy requests to the Town Board's public meeting on June 8.

The Planning Board's approval is conditioned on the listed requirements; any future change in the State license or in authorized retail products will require the applicant to return to the Planning Board for additional review.