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Planning Board schedules hearing for Cortland Commons cannabis retail, approves circulation of Kush Factory notices
Summary
The Board set a Dec. 19 public hearing for the Cortland Commons cannabis retail special-use permit after the applicant removed a proposed drive-through; it also approved circulation of adjoiner notices for a Kush Factory dispensary proposed for the former Pier 1 at Route 300, with County Planning referral required next.
The Planning Board on Nov. 21 advanced two retail cannabis applications in Town of Newburgh but handled each at a different procedural step.
For Cortland Commons, Brandon Petrella (Mauri Architects) told the Board the applicant abandoned a proposed drive‑through after staff advised it is not permitted for that use in the district and instead proposed using part of that area for employee parking. Petrella also presented revised signage that removes a cannabis leaf and conforms to area limits. Pat Hines reported he had received Orange County Planning’s local determination (dated Nov. 5) with no advisory comments but emphasized that a public hearing is required because the use is a special permit. The Board scheduled a public hearing for Dec. 19, 2024, by majority vote (one member opposed).
For Kush Factory (1255 Route 300), attorney Javier Rosado and applicant Melzina Canigan Izzard said the plan is to occupy the former Pier 1 space for retail dispensary use without any on‑site cultivation; the proposal is an interior remodel. Code Compliance requested signage dimensions and the Town’s consultants noted the need to show a site plan that demonstrates zoning compliance within the larger shopping-center parcel. The Board voted to circulate adjoiner notices (the Town will send notices to properties within 500 feet) and to work with staff on the required County Planning referral before scheduling a public hearing.
Quotes and context "The drive‑through window will be utilized for employee parking," Pat Hines said, summarizing the agreed change for Cortland Commons. Applicant Melzina Izzard explained customer flow and security procedures at Kush Factory, saying products will be stored in a secured cage and will be dispensed through a pass‑through window after ID checks.
Next steps - Cortland Commons: public hearing on Dec. 19, 2024; applicant to submit revised signage details and any outstanding materials for the special‑use permit. - Kush Factory: Planning staff will circulate adjoiner notices within 500 feet and prepare the package for Orange County Planning referral; applicant to provide signage dimensions and the site plan that clarifies zoning conformance within the shopping-center lot.
