In their discussion period towards the end of the Common Council meeting last night, the Mayor and Common Councilors discussed the notifications of intent from two organizations on applying for retail cannabis dispensary licenses.
The two applicants were LakeHouse Cannabis LLC. and Dank Street LLC. LakeHouse Cannabis has proposed a dispensary location at the Riverside Plaza in the City of Cortland. The company is essentially ready to open if it receives approval from the New York State Cannabis Board.
The second applicant, Dank Street LLC. shows an application address at 1 River Street. The address is the current location of Denny’s. Both properties are within the City of Cortland’s specialized district which was approved by the city last year.
Mayor Steve spoke on the two applications and with the city essentially having two options. One would be to do nothing and let the organizations submit their application or have the city write a response to the intent.
Steve says he has requested an extension of 30 days to the city’s response to allow the Council review both applications, but also allow public input. A public hearing date regarding the two applications is set for November 21st. There will be a public hearing for each location specifically.
However, Mayor Steve noted that only one of the applicants will receive a license from the state. Current New York State law regarding cannabis licenses state dispensaries must be at least 2,000 feet from one another. Currently, both applicants’ locations are 1,500 feet from one another.
Originally, the law stated for cities with a population of 20,000 or lower, which Cortland is, the city is allowed only one dispensary. That was adjusted to a distance allowance recently. As for the future of the Denny’s location, it remains unclear if the restaurant will close. It was noted that the closure could be contingent on the applicants approval for a dispensary license.
