By PETE WALTON
Neptune City could have its first retail marijuana outlet in early April.
Mayor Rachel McGreevy says the owners of East Coast Cannabis are working on their space in the Plaza 33 shopping center at the borough’s western border.
“They have secured all permits for the tenant buildout of the unit at 300 W. Sylvania and work is underway,” the mayor said. “We understand draining has been installed and cabinetry has been ordered. They have been in contact with the [state] Cannabis Regulatory Commission and look forward to getting their final inspection and approval.”
The borough Land Use Board approved an application by the company last summer.
Under the name of Shipwreck’d LLC, the firm asked the board to permit the establishment of “a class 5 cannabis retail store as licensed by the State of New Jersey and in compliance with state and local regulations.”
The shopping center also houses a Retro Fitness gym and a Dollar General store. The marijuana outlet will be located in unit 6 of the center.
In March of 2023, the Borough Council approved an ordinance limiting the legal sale of marijuana to the highway commercial zone in the westernmost corner of Neptune City.
The northern boundary of the zone runs from a point opposite the eastern Route 33 entrance to Jersey Shore University Medical Center, and extends westward on Route 33 just past Brighton Avenue to the border with the township of Neptune.
Designating the revised permitted zone ended proposed plans for cannabis retail sales near West Sylvania and Steiner avenues, an area where Shipwreck’d and another company considered setting up marijuana sale outlets.
The land use board previously said that the updated ordinance complied with the borough’s master plan.
Several towns, including nearby Neptune, have benefitted from tax revenue generated by the legal sale of cannabis.
According to Neptune City’s ordinance, any marijuana business must have entrances and exits on Route 33 and would not be permitted “within 200 feet of a borough district zoned as residential.”
“There shall not be any drive-through associated with any Class 5 cannabis retailer,” the ordinance says. Class 5 is the only type of marijuana business which will be permitted in Neptune City.
According to the ordinance, the store can only operate between 10 a.m. and 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Sundays.
Also at this week’s meeting of the council, final approval was given to a bond ordinance raising $85,500 for the acquisition of police equipment.
The council also voted to apply for a $100,000 grant from the state Department of Community Affairs to construct a new playground at Laird Avenue Park.
Ayden C. Miles has been hired as the newest officer in the Neptune City Police Department.
