The Pine Plains Planning Board met on Wednesday, May 21 to review two major proposals: a new lumber mill by the Hudson Company and a cannabis dispensary on South Main Street.
Jamie Hammel of the Hudson Company and Caren LoBrutto of LaBella Associates presented updated plans for a 22,200-square-foot mill and showroom at 2436 Route 83 and 7714 South Main Street. The proposal includes a lot line adjustment and a new fire tank.
LoBrutto previously told the board that stormwater infiltration basins would reduce runoff to the stream along Route 82. But Planning Board Chair Michael Stabile raised new concerns about site drainage following heavy rain.
“There was definitely some standing water outside of the stream and along the edge of the road,” Stabile said. “That water was not moving.”
Town engineer George Schmidt said the issue may stem from a nearby culvert. The board advised the applicant to seek input from state officials.
A sound study is underway, and a public hearing on the application is scheduled for June 11 at 7:35 p.m.
The board also heard a presentation from Brian Seiler and Benjamin Abrahams, who operate a cannabis dispensary in Red Hook and hope to open a second location at 7723 South Main Street. The property is owned by Christopher Gumprecht, who said the dispensary would be the first tenant in a planned “Weigh Station Marketplace.”
“The dispensary would be low impact and generate revenue for the town,” Gumprecht said. “Brian and Ben respect the property and the community. I love this town, and want to invest more in it.”
The board said the site plan lacked sufficient detail and requested updates to parking, ADA access, and a change-of-use review with the state Department of Transportation for access from Route 199.
Board member Al Blackburn expressed concern. “We should be cautious, because people here suffer from addictions,” he said. “While there may be benefits, do they outweigh the negatives?”
In response, Gumprecht noted that liquor stores can display their products in storefront windows, while cannabis dispensaries are more restricted. “Kids can’t walk right into a dispensary. Kids can’t see right into the windows,” he said.
“All customers are required to show identification,” Seiler added. “Every patron has to present an ID.” Abrahams said their ID scanner often detects fake IDs: “That scanner saves us every time.”
Under Pine Plains law, cannabis retailers are permitted but must be at least 300 feet from any public facility. The post office raised no objection; the fire commissioners submitted a letter opposing the location.
The board plans to visit the applicants’ Red Hook dispensary before its next meeting.
In other business, the board approved amended site plans for three solar-powered lights in the Stissing Center parking lot. “We already voted verbally last week, but this is the official resolution,” Stabile said.
The board also welcomed two new alternate members: Rob Strong and Ari Kardasis.
The next Planning Board meeting is scheduled for June 11 at 7:30 p.m.