Peekskill Zoning Board: Proposed microbusiness at 1698 Main Street qualifies as "manufacturing" under city code

The Peekskill Zoning Board of Appeals voted unanimously on Aug. 15 to interpret a proposed cannabis microbusiness at 1698 Main Street as a "manufacturing" use under the city's zoning code.

Chair (S1) moved that the application as presented meet the city's manufacturing definition in section 5-75-34(b)(1)(d); the motion was seconded and carried without opposition. Jean (S3), the board's planner, had advised that "manufacturing is defined in the code as any process whereby the nature, size, or shape of articles or raw materials is changed or where articles are assembled," and that the applicant's plans — which include trimming, grinding, packaging and labeling — fall within that description.

The board and staff emphasized the interpretation is an initial, advisory determination to be used in subsequent permitting. Chair (S1) told applicants and residents the ruling does not grant operational permits: "We're the first step in the process," he said, and noted a positive interpretation means the applicant must still seek a special permit from the Common Council and further review by the Planning Commission.

Board members discussed precedent: members agreed the finding will guide future microbusiness applications and stressed that special-permit review will allow the council and planning commission to impose enforceable conditions addressing neighborhood impacts, parking, loading and other concerns. Staff (S2) noted the same interpretive question would arise even if an applicant located in the city's manufacturing district, underlining that this determination concerns the nature of the activity rather than the site alone.

Next steps: the applicant will bring materials and the board record to the Common Council and Planning Commission for formal special-permit hearings; those bodies retain the authority to condition or deny the permit.