Far Hills residents oppose Bartlett dispensary site, citing safety and proximity to youth facility

Residents of the nearby Far Hills subdivision spoke strongly against locating the proposed Good Behavior dispensary at the plaza on Route 59, telling the Planning and Zoning Commission the site abuts a child‑focused gymnastics center and residential yards.

Robert Heim, who said he is the homeowners association president for Far Hills, told commissioners that "there's really no access for people to walk in the back of the building to do any kind of deliveries" and described crowded parking and existing loitering near the gymnastics center. He told the commission the proposed use is "the wrong location to choose." Several other residents — including Sushma Shah, Lisa Heim, Marie Sasso, Julia Bersler and Lisa Coyne — echoed concerns about traffic, children playing near the site and perceived safety risks.

Residents asked the commission to prioritize neighborhood character and child safety over tax revenue. Staff and some commissioners responded that the industry is heavily regulated and that public consumption is prohibited under state law; commissioners noted enforcement options and the possibility of added conditions if the Village Board takes up the case.