RED BANK: CANNABIS SHOP OK’D

May 16, 2023

Canopy Crossroad plans to lease 9 West Street, a portion of a building that also houses Red Bank Liquors. (Photo by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge.)

By JOHN T. WARD

A proposed Red Bank marijuana shop that’s been a focal point in a running debate over cannabis zoning won approval from the borough planning board Monday night.

With a more welcoming council set to take office July 1, Canopy Crossroad now appears to have a clearer path to opening next door to Red Bank Liquors, though hurdles remain.

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May 16, 2023 - 8:00 am |

RED BANK: TWO POT SHOPS UP FOR REVIEW

May 15, 2023

Plug Naturals LLC seeks board approval to create a cannabis store in a house on West Front Street. (Photo by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge.)

By JOHN T. WARD

An effort to tighten Red Bank’s controversial cannabis business zoning law faces a double-barreled challenge Monday night.

That’s when the owners of two proposed pot shops that would be less than 350 feet apart go to the planning board. Both are expected to argue they comply with the 2021 law.

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May 15, 2023 - 7:00 am |

RED BANK: NO DECISION ON CANNABIS SHOP

May 2, 2023

A rendering of the proposed home of Canopy Crossroad at 9 West Street, next door to Red Bank Liquors. (Rendering by Stephen Raciti Architect. Click to enlarge.)

By JOHN T. WARD

A plan for a retail cannabis shop in Red Bank ran into some of the same objections fueling an effort to rewrite where such businesses can operate in town Monday night.

Among them: that it’s too close to a school.

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May 2, 2023 - 6:25 am |

RED BANK: CANNABIS SHOP ON AGENDA

May 1, 2023

An application to open a retail cannabis dispensary on West Street in Red Bank goes to the planning board Monday night – in the midst of a council effort to block it. 

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May 1, 2023 - 7:15 am |

RED BANK: WATER LINES, CANNABIS ON AGENDA

Apr 25, 2023

A map used in a February presentation indicated that 366 properties were known to be served by lead water supply lines, with most others “unknown.” (Image by ENGenuity. Click to enlarge)

By JOHN T. WARD

At its final meeting before a history-making election, the Red Bank council will take up a big cost increase for removing lead water service lines.

Also on deck: adoption of a cannabis zoning law that the planning board said does not comply with the town’s Master Plan.

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April 25, 2023 - 8:05 am |

RED BANK: BOARD REJECTS CANNABIS LAW

Apr 18, 2023

A proposed cannabis dispensary next door to Red Bank Liquors on West Street would be barred because it is within 1,000 feet of the Red Bank Charter School. (Photo by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge.)

By JOHN T. WARD

Red Bank’s pending cannabis zoning law does not comply with the borough’s Master Plan, the planning board found Monday night.

On a unanimous vote, the board rejected the controversial law, finding that it violates the plan’s goal of furthering economic development.

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April 18, 2023 - 8:40 am |

RED BANK: POT, BUDGET & MORE ON AGENDA

Apr 11, 2023

Responding to public pressure, the council plans to create a four-way stop at the intersection of Leighton Avenue and Drs. James Parker Boulevard. (Google Maps image. Click to enlarge.)

By JOHN T. WARD

On the Red Bank mayor and council’s agenda for Wednesday night: new hurdles for licensing of cannabis businesses; the 2023 budget; a new four-way traffic intersection and more.

 

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April 11, 2023 - 8:09 am |

RED BANK: POT LAW DRAWS FIRE BUT ADVANCES

Mar 31, 2023

A long-vacant gas station at the foot of Cooper’s Bridge was left out of the new law by mistake, proponents said. (Photo by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge.)

By JOHN T. WARD

The Red Bank council advanced a rewrite of the borough pot law Wednesday night, undeterred by cannabis business owners warning of lawsuits.

The proposed changes, which include a ban on marijuana retailing within 1,000 feet of schools, “please no one,” but must be adopted, their lead sponsor told a sharply divided audience at a special legislative session.

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March 31, 2023 - 8:59 am |

RED BANK: SESSION ON CANNABIS LAW SLATED

Mar 27, 2023

A proposed change to Red Bank’s cannabis law would ban sales within 1,000 feet of schools, playgrounds and public housing, except in one zone, under a draft that’s up for discussion at a special session this week.

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March 27, 2023 - 4:35 pm |

RED BANK: PARKING, EV CHARGING ON AGENDA

Mar 21, 2023

The council is eyeing requirements for electric vehicle charging in new multifamily projects and parking lots. (Photo by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge.)

See UPDATE below

By JOHN T. WARD

On the Red Bank mayor and council’s agenda for Wednesday night: rules requiring electric vehicle chargers at new developments, and a change in the parking law for a stretch of Spring Street.

Not on the agenda: the burning issue of how to rewrite the town’s cannabis law.

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March 21, 2023 - 8:30 am |

RED BANK: SMOKE, BUT NO FIRE ‘COMPANY’

Mar 7, 2023

The cannabis shop is slated to replace the China Moon restaurant on North Bridge Avenue. (Photo by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge.)

By JOHN T. WARD

A proposed cannabis store with the “terrible” name of “Red Bank Fire Company” will change its moniker before it opens in coming months, a representative said Monday night.

The business won planning board approval to open a marijuana dispensary in a North Bridge Avenue strip mall after promising to quickly end any confusion with the borough’s volunteer fire department.

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March 7, 2023 - 8:00 am |

RED BANK: HOUSING, POT DOMINATE SESSION

Feb 23, 2023

Evergreen Terrace is one of two apartment complexes slated for possible rehabilitation or redevelopment. (Photo by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge.)

By JOHN T. WARD

The Red Bank Housing Authority asked the borough council for money to explore possible redevelopment of two subsidized apartment complexes Wednesday night.

At its second three-plus-hour meeting in three days, the governing body also heard more testimony for and against a possible overhaul of the zoning law governing cannabis businesses.

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February 23, 2023 - 8:40 am |

RED BANK: POT LAW OVERHAUL PROPOSED

Feb 21, 2023

Cannabis proponent Andy Zeitlin testifying at the special session. (Photo by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge.)

By JOHN T. WARD

Expecting to hear about proposed tweaks to Red Bank’s pot law, attendees at a special council session Monday night instead learned that it may be completely rewritten to make it more restrictive.

Councilwoman Angela Mirandi fiercely defended the proposed changes, calling the original 2021 ordinance “reckless.”

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February 21, 2023 - 2:00 pm |

RED BANK: CANNABIS SITINGS ON AGENDA

Feb 15, 2023

The Red Bank council has scheduled a special session next week to consider easing limits on cannabis shop sitings. 

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February 15, 2023 - 7:55 am |

RED BANK: PIPES, RENTALS, VOTING ON DECK

Feb 7, 2023

Branch Avenue resident Alberto Larotonda with a lead pipe he brought to a council meeting in 2015. (Photo by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge.)

See Correction below

By JOHN T. WARD

The Red Bank council may authorize spending up to $2.4 million to replace water service lines made of lead when it meets Wednesday night.

Also on the heavy agenda: possible adoption of a controversial law restricting short-term residential rentals; a study of water rates; a change in the zoning law governing cannabis sales; and authorizing early, in-person voting for an historic May election.

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February 7, 2023 - 2:00 pm |

RED BANK: INDOOR CANNABIS FARM APPROVED

Dec 6, 2022

The facility would operate in three buildings now used for warehousing at 15 East Leonard Street. (Photo by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge.)

By JOHN T. WARD

Red Bank moved closer to scoring a wholesale cannabis growing facility Monday night.

Before granting approval, however, planning board members had to overcome misgivings about an all-cash operation – and an electrified security fence meant to give intruders a “kick in the chest” without killing them.

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December 6, 2022 - 7:59 am |

RED BANK: $10K CANNABIS BIZ FEE ON TABLE

Dec 8, 2021

Map indicates areas of town that are off-limits for cannabis operations and sales with cross-hatching outlined in red. (Click to enlarge.)

By JOHN T. WARD

A proposed $10,000 fee for licenses to grow, store or sell cannabis was flagged as possibly problematic by Red Bank’s borough attorney last week.

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December 8, 2021 - 7:56 am |

RED BANK: CLOTHES, CANDLES &… CANNABIS?

Nov 19, 2021

Veronica Mogilevich in her new boutique, Another Sunday, on Monmouth Street. (Photos by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge.)

By JOHN T. WARD

A clothing boutique debuts; a gift shop and a restaurant plan openings; a would-be cannabis retailer stakes a claim; and a major retail building changes hands.

Read all about the latest business activity in downtown Red Bank in this edition of redbankgreen‘s Retail Churn.

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November 19, 2021 - 7:30 am |

RED BANK: LABOR SETTLEMENT ON AGENDA

Aug 18, 2021

The agenda includes settlements with Robert Greene, left, and John Cain, who were laid off from their recycling center jobs in May, 2020. (Photo by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge.)

By JOHN T. WARD

Memorials to living persons would be permitted on borough property under a policy up for possible adoption by the Red Bank council Wednesday night.

Also on the agenda: a settlement with two laid-off workers; curtailing private fireworks and awarding a contract for a Broad Street makeover project.

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August 18, 2021 - 7:54 am |

RED BANK: BOARD OKS CANNABIS SITING PLAN

Aug 3, 2021

Map indicates areas of town that would be off-limits for cannabis operations and sales with cross-hatching outlined in red. (Click to enlarge.)

By JOHN T. WARD

A plan to accommodate all levels of cannabis businesses – from growth to retailing – advanced in Red Bank Monday night.

The borough planning board, meeting in person for the first time since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, gave the plan its seal of approval, finding no conflicts with the town’s Master Plan.

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August 3, 2021 - 7:58 am |

RED BANK: SPEED, POT & BUDGET ON AGENDA

Jul 21, 2021

The speed limit on the full length of Front Street/River Road through town would be reduced to 25 miles per hour under a Monmouth County proposal. (Photo by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge.)

By JOHN T. WARD

A ban on fireworks, a new executive director for the redevelopment agency, a reduced speed limit and more crowd a busy agenda when the Red Bank council holds its only regular session of July Wednesday night.

 

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July 21, 2021 - 7:53 am |

FAIR HAVEN: COUNCIL TO MEET IN-PERSON

Jun 25, 2021

A view of the Fair Haven council chamber in 2017. (Photo by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge.)

After 15 months of meeting via technology, the Fair Haven mayor and council plan to enter the post-pandemic era with an in-person meeting Monday night.

On the agenda: honors for three Eagle Scouts; a ban on cannabis businesses; discussion of 5G telecommunications and more.

Here’s the full agenda. The meeting is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. at borough hall, 748 River Road.

June 25, 2021 - 7:50 am |

FAIR HAVEN: FIREMEN’S FAIR BACK ON TRACK

Jun 15, 2021

The fair will return in August, said Councilman Mike McCue. (Photo by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge)

By JOHN T. WARD

The summer-ending food-and-fun extravaganza known as the Fair Haven Firemen’s Fair will return in August, borough Councilman Mike McCue said Monday night.

That sparkler of news, another sign of the waning COVID-19 pandemic, came amid council action on the budget, cannabis, waterfront property and more.

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June 15, 2021 - 7:59 am |

RED BANK: TOWN TO ZONE FOR CANNABIS

Jun 11, 2021

By JOHN T. WARD

Red Bank will move quickly to set zoning rules on the growth, distribution and retail sale of cannabis, the council informally agreed Wednesday night.

The decision will enable the borough to dictate where cannabis commerce can occur, and eventually generate some tax revenue.

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June 11, 2021 - 7:57 am |

RED BANK: MARIJUANA GROW SITE PROPOSED

Mar 31, 2021

The operation would be housed in a warehouse on East Leonard Street, indicated by a star above. (Image from Google Maps. Click to enlarge.)

By JOHN T. WARD

Jumping in on New Jersey’s legalization of adult-use marijuana, a local homebuilder hopes to win approval for a growing facility in Red Bank, redbankgreen has learned.

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March 31, 2021 - 11:45 am |