Council narrowly extends local support for cannabis retail license at 85 Raritan Avenue after resident complaints

The Highland Park Borough Council voted July 7 to extend local support for a retail cannabis license for Florio Highland Park LLC at 85 Raritan Avenue, after more than an hour of public comment and council discussion.

During public participation several residents said nearby cannabis retail locations have contributed to noise, litter and people using drugs near parks. Mary Botee Young told the council she did not want a fifth recreational cannabis retailer in town and asked what concrete actions the borough will take about ongoing problems near the Carsey Park area. "You have been advised of these problems for over a year," Young said, adding residents had submitted petitions.

Rita Palos urged the council to consider stricter enforcement such as requiring retailers to hire litter squads, manage parking and use security when events create disruptions. Multiple speakers raised quality-of-life concerns and questioned whether five cannabis shops in a 1.3-square-mile borough were appropriate.

Council members were divided. Council member Matthew Hirsch said he would not support another extension on principle because the council had already endorsed the applicant in 2023 and should not repeatedly reauthorize the local support: "We shouldn't have to keep voting on it," he said. Council member Phil George and others acknowledged residents' concerns but emphasized the borough has limited power over what opens in town and noted that vacant storefronts reduce downtown vitality.

Council member Matt Hale, citing investments by the applicant and ongoing efforts to resolve ownership and licensing issues, argued for a short, final extension to allow the business to open and demonstrate good neighbor practices.

Following debate the council moved and seconded the resolution to extend local support for Florio Highland Park LLC; roll call recorded mixed votes and the motion carried. The extension was placed on the consent agenda for separate consideration and then approved on a recorded vote.

The council did not adopt additional new local restrictions on consumption or plaza smoking during the meeting; residents urged the council to consider ordinances that would prohibit smoking in future plaza space and to enforce litter and parking rules near retail locations.

The measure was recorded as adopted; members asked staff to monitor code enforcement and to report back on compliance issues raised by residents.