The Hopewell Borough Planning Board gathered for its March meeting on Wednesday, March 6. The brevity of the official agenda belied the contention with which residents and the Board discussed Evolve Sky’s application for a variance to establish a retail cannabis store at 57 Hamilton. For its part, the Board acknowledged that its purview was limited to the Conditional Use Variance aspect of the applicant’s Preliminary and Final Minor Site Plan and could not include the overall suitability of the business at the proposed location, which had already been approved by Borough Council.
Indeed, residents’ main issues concerned the condition of the site, both inside and out, and whether or not the location made sense given the character of the neighborhood. Members of the Planning Board emphasized that such concerns—while valid insofar as they may make sense from the perspective of residents—were misplaced. Hopewell Borough Council has already ruled that Evolve Sky successfully applied to open up shop at Block 18, Lot 1. The task that remained concerned whether or not a retail establishment could receive the necessary variances to operate in a Service Zone.
In a late vote, the Planning Board said that, yes, the applicant had successfully addressed all concerns regarding the retrofitting of the retail space and will be permitted to operate. Evolve Sky will be join the more than 100 cannabis dispensaries in New Jersey.
Hopewell Borough hopes to reap the economic benefits of the recreational cannabis industry, receipts for which exceeded $670,000,000 statewide in 2023 alone. While there are more than 200 operating licenses in the State, there will only be one retail establishment in Hopewell Borough, a fact that may not alleviate the concerns of those residents who spoke out during the public comment period.
Several individuals yielded their time to a resident who lives on Lafayette St. near the proposed location. Armed with large, jarring photos of the building’s interior, which showed tarps and water damage, the speaker vociferously criticized the Board and Council for approving the new retail establishment. At one point, the homeowner asked how people would safely ingest products from a “black mold infested” store. Speaking in her capacity as a resident of the Borough, and not in her role as Council member, Heidi Wilenius wondered why Evolve Sky was not interested in one of the many vacant storefronts on Broad St., instead opting to open “off the beaten path”.
For its part, representatives of the applicant lifted up the location as a primary reason for the projected success of the establishment. They also emphasized that the 3,600 square feet for which they will be responsible will undergo major restoration and repair in order to retrofit the space to a suitable degree. Any water damage, mold, etc. will be among those issues to be resolved before doors would open to the public. Several members of the Planning Board expressed their delight in how the applicant addressed issues such as safety, signage, handicap accessibility, lighting, and security.
The positive appraisal by members of the Planning Board carried through for the remainder of the meeting. Each member who spoke affirmed the applicant’s efforts to satisfy all the conditions imposed upon them in order to receive the necessary variants to operate. The totality of their application being on display for scrutiny—and passing muster—Board members acknowledged to the public that they had no choice but to approve the plan.
It should be noted that the State of New Jersey’s Cannabis Retail Commission imposes sky high standards upon store operators. These rules and regulations are often well-above and beyond those set by participating municipalities, including safety measures, security protocols, and accessibility. Adherence to the CRC’s requirements was repeatedly lifted up by the applicant as proof that Evolve Sky intends to be a good neighbor. Still, many Borough residents, especially those on Lafayette and in nearby homes, remain skeptical that 57 Hamilton Ave possesses any redeeming qualities and could ever be a good neighbor save for being torn down and remediated.
In other Planning Board news, those who have been following along with the former site of Hopewell Bistro may be interested to know that construction will continue. Prompted by a question posed during the second comment period, Mayor Kennedy explained that after unforeseen delays in materials acquisition, the builders are expecting to resume as soon as possible.
