For this week’s meeting, the council was being asked to support applications by Green Flamingo Dispensary LLC to operate a retail cannabis business at 447 Central Ave. It has pledged to provide $7,500 to Miracle Temple Pentecostal Church for charitable endeavors.
Asked about competitors looking to set up shop in neighboring sites along the Heights’ main business district, city Division of Commerce licensing director Maynard Woodson said: “We do have saturation on Central Avenue,” noting that four other applicants were previously sanctioned by the council for locations along Central.
Meanwhile, another applicant, Local Modiv LLC, is hoping for council endorsement for its cannabis retail business proposed for 155 Newark Ave., but Councilmember-at-large Daniel Rivera cautioned that some neighboring merchants were “up in arms” about the prospect. The CCB had previously denied the application, having been unconvinced that the applicant could prove it had “secured a location” for the business, but a Superior Court decision in December 2022 overturned the denial. Local Modiv has pledged assistance to four nonprofits.
“We may put a pause on this application,” Council President Joyce Watterman speculated.