Cannabis Retailer Siting Ordinance Up For Adoption In Red Bank

RED BANK, NJ — The Red Bank Borough Council has cannabis on the agenda again for Wednesday's meeting.

Up for adoption is the second of two ordinances regulating cannabis businesses in the borough.

The amendments to the original cannabis ordinance were done in two separate ordinances, explained Interim Borough Administrator Darren McConnell.

The first, which was adopted, was regarding the licensing procedure for applying and for potentially getting approved for a municipal cannabis license. This ordinance called for the formation of a cannabis review board within the borough, he said.

The ordinance up for adoption Wednesday is the land use ordinance pertaining to where cannabis businesses are allowed, he said.

The Planning Board has not supported the ordinance, determining it was not in keeping with the borough's Master Plan. McConnell said that despite the Planning Board's recommendation, the ordinance may still be adopted by the council.

The ordinance calls for amending the Planning and Development regulations regarding certain regulations and requirements for cannabis businesses.

For example, it sets forth the streets where cannabis retailers can be located:

• Riverside Avenue (Between Bridge Avenue and Pearl Street)
• Shrewsbury Avenue (Between West Front Street and Monmouth Street)
• Bridge Avenue (Between Riverside Avenue and Monmouth Street)
• West Front Street (Between Shrewsbury Avenue and Pearl Street)
• Brower Street
• Allen Place
• Newman Springs Road (Between Shrewsbury Avenue and Route 35)

Also except for the Highway Business Zone, no cannabis retailer shall be located within:

• 1,000 feet of a public or private school, playground, or housing facility owned by a public housing authority.
• 500 feet of parks, houses of worship, and daycare centers.
• 100 feet of public or private youth centers, swimming pool, or video arcade facility.
• 250-foot radius of any retail cannabis business.

In another agenda item, a resolution to introduce the 2023 municipal budget is listed.

At the last meeting on April 12, the budget failed to get enough votes for introduction, following a call to increase the amount budgeted for the borough "rent" for the use of firehouses in town.

Firefighters attended the last meeting in large numbers to advocate for an increase in the annual rent the borough pays to the private fire companies.