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Heated public hearing in Peekskill as neighbors and proponents clash over proposed cannabis manufacturer at 710 Washington
Summary
Hundreds of minutes of public comment centered on a special permit request for a cannabis manufacturing facility at 710 Washington Street. Residents voiced concerns about odor, noise, proximity to homes and notice; applicant and building owner defended licensing and mitigation plans and said the small business would create jobs and renovate an old building. Council left the hearing open pending additional engineering reports and written comments through Oct. 14.
A continued public hearing on a special permit for a cannabis micro-business at 710 Washington Street drew the meeting's largest turnout and the most intense public testimony.
Planning staff told the council the Planning Commission had made a positive recommendation and that the city had asked CPL engineers to review odor-mitigation technology proposed by the applicant; a memo from CPL was expected by Sept. 15. Applicant representatives said the business would operate as a state‑licensed micro-business and planned to invest in filtration and odor mitigation, hire locally and renovate a long-vacant building. "We are looking to open in Peekskill because it is the closest allowable area to my partner... It's a community he spends time, with his family infrequently," an applicant representative said, adding the business planned voluntary community contributions and to hire from Peekskill.
Many neighbors, particularly residents on Roosevelt Avenue and nearby streets, said the manufacturing use was inappropriate in a residential area and raised repeated concerns about odor and noise during cultivation and harvest. Regina Bronze, who said she changed travel plans to attend the meeting, told the council: "In no no way, form, or fashion is it good for our community." Speakers cited other municipalities' experience with persistent odors despite mitigation and demanded site-specific tests, on-site inspections, and enforceable shut-down provisions if emissions affect neighbors.
Supporters, including a nearby building owner and a local nursery owner, said the facility would follow state rules and that modern HVAC/HEPA filtration systems can prevent off-site odor. Dwayne Reeb, the 710 Washington building owner, said the owners are investing in advanced filtration technology and would locate the cultivation rooms away from residential-facing facades.
After hours of testimony, councilmembers said they had heard ample oral comment and directed staff to publish the CPL engineering report and allow a window for written comments; they left the public hearing open and set an October 14 deadline for public comment and further council consideration. Staff also offered a sign-up sheet for residents to receive direct notification when the report and materials are posted.
