professional, right? You authorized the submission. >> Yes, sir. >> Uh we got them today. I think they were circulated to the board. >> What has to happen? I don't know if you had communications with Mr. Monguso's office or not, but we're going to carry the the hearing. You're going to have to send new notices because it it prompted
additional variances, but we will hold the original submission, you know, the application date. So >> assuming you're going to wave time constraints to allow us to adjourn it, I believe the next available date is September 17th >> of 2025. So assuming your professional is available, you want to take that
date? >> Yes, sir. >> Would the board announce it tonight and consider moving it to September 17th with the understanding that you will send re new notices addressing the new variances? Collars, our engineering department has to review it like they did the last one. So
>> got it. Uh assuming we can get it done in that time frame. You're cutting it kind of close, but >> they're on it already. >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> We'll be good. >> And that everything I said was accurate, right? You're in agreement with that? >> Yes. Okay. >> So, if I understand it corre correctly,
I have to send certified mail to the 200 list again. Is that >> Yes. With with the new information, the the notice would be adjusted >> subject to the additional You'll probably have an additional sideyard setback variant specifically. Yes, sir. >> Because you're bringing the structure as I understand. We're not talking
substantively tonight, sir. >> But it's going further into that area. So, the neighbors need to be aware of that. >> I don't think any neighbors were here the last time, but still it it required by law to to make sure they understand the notice. They may not >> come or they may come. They they have the right to come.
>> Sure. >> But it will be September 17th. If if it changes, that's fine, too. We'll just get a new date. I don't think we need to appear on the 17th to change. We're looking we're targeting the 17th. subject that we'll put you on the calendar for that subject to that new notice. >> Yes, sir.
>> And work obviously in conjunction with Mr. Monguso. >> May I have a motion in a second to adjourn tonight's meeting in calendar number 3457. Applicant will have to renotice. The meeting will be adjourned and continued.
We'll have a continued reading on September the 17th. >> Mr. Chairman, I'd like to make a motion. Uh, as you just said, calendar number 3457, Muhammad Ali Hussein. Uh, address is 764
Lehigh Avenue. Block number is 509, lot 21. Uh, convert garage into bedroom and park in front of living space. Um, like council discussed, uh, applicant, you must renotice. Uh, next available date is September 17, 2025.
>> Second a motion. >> Roll call. >> Miss Martins. Yes, >> Mr. Bentega. >> Yes, >> Mr. Johnson. >> Yes, >> Mr. McNeel. >> Yes, >> Mr. Graves. >> Yes, >> Mr. Champion. >> Yes. >> Thank you, Mr. Hussein. >> Thank you. >> Our next order of business is calendar
number 3460, Bera Union LLC. Location is 2290, Route 22 East, block 3202, lot 17. And it would be for new signage. Mr. Paparo, how are you? >> Good. How are you?
>> Okay. >> Uh, good evening, chairman, board members, Joe Papero, Porzio, Bramberg, and Newman. On behalf of the applicant, Bera Union LLC, uh, this application involves the existing uh, retail cannabis location at 2290, Route 22
East. That's block 3202, lot 17 on the Township of Union tax. Um just as a really brief overview before we call our witnesses. Uh this is an application regarding assigned variance. Um the cannabis location was approved by this
board in 2023. Uh it's the site is located in your CC zone where cannabis retail is conditionally permitted. In 2023, we appeared before the board obtained the conditional use variance and associated site plan relief. Um and
uh post approval uh the store was opened in 2024 and has been operating. Uh we're here before you this evening for a request for a freestanding sign for the business. Um there are three variances associated with that sign which our professionals will discuss. Um
uh again this I'm sure the board's well familiar. This is a uh store that's located in a existing shopping center uh on 22 East. um for witnesses. I'd like to begin with a representative of the operator uh to come forward and explain
how business is going since they opened in April of 2024, the need for the uh proposed sign, and then we would have our professional planner and engineer who prepared the variance plan that was submitted to you uh to discuss those three variances that are attributed to
the new sign. Um Mr. Panul, I don't know if you need to mark anything. Yeah, for the record to council and for the board members benefit, I marked A1 the application for these signed variances as it was submitted. And A2 is the three-page Harbor Consultants, Inc. plan
addressing uh tonight's presentation. As Mr. Paparo referenced, uh this was subject to approval by this board. I didn't realize it was 2023 already, but some time ago, so we're not really addressing the use tonight. This is limited to the issues of the bulk
criteria involved with the signage. So, thank you. >> A1 and A2 for the record. Uh, can I ask the witness? Is the witness up here? >> Not yet. >> I'll bring him up. Patel, >> just for the record, if you could swear
or affirm that any testimony you're providing this evening is the truth and the whole truth. >> It is. And and speaking to the mic, you got to lean over so that we can hear you. >> Yes, it is. >> And for the record, state and spell your name with your official affiliation with the applicant.
>> Uh Patel O P A T E L. Operations Manager. >> I'm having a hard time hearing you. Maybe you can adjust that, Mike. >> Can you hear me? >> That's better. Yeah. Can you spell it again, please? >> OM first name, last name, Patel, P A T L
Operations Manager. >> Thank you. Uh, Mr. Patel, you are an authorized representative of Bera Union LLC, correct? >> Yes. >> Uh, can you provide the board and the public with your position with the company?
>> Uh, operations manager overseeing compliance, finances, overall daily operations of the establishment. I mentioned in my overview that this board approved the uh retail cannabis location uh in 2023 and the store open for
business in April 2024. Is that correct? >> Correct. >> Um we are here tonight for a sign uh for the business. Uh can you explain to the board and the public how business is going? Uh some of the operational issues that you've identified that you feel could be addressed uh adequately with
the new signage. >> Sure. So first and foremost uh yeah we've been in business for about over a year now. Um business is going well. You know we're growing but we are seeing stiffening competition as you know 22 is pretty much there's a stretch of about 2
to three miles with you know three to four at least five dispensaries and we've seen that you know competition competition is getting a little bit more uh stiff. So just to address that fact, um to be competitive in the industry, uh
that's one aspect and the other aspect would be just public safety. Our customers have noticed that it's hard for them to even notice that we're in existence. Um, and they're having a hard time just pulling into the facility because it's it's you can see it and by the time they do see it, they're, you
know, they're pretty much at the entrance of the driveway and it's hard for them to turn in because, you know, if they're on the left lane, it's hard for them to veer all the way to the right lane to get into the facility. So, there's two kind of aspects, competitive and then public safety. >> As an operator of this business, you've received uh complaints from your
customers regarding. >> Yes, we have. you know, at least, you know, when we were start first getting started, at least three to four a week. Um, over time, you know, customers getting knowing, but we still see over customers come in and say, "Hey, we don't even know you were here." >> And I mentioned that this store, and I'm
sure the board recalls, this store is part of a uh shopping center. Correct. >> Correct. >> And there's a number of tenants in that shopping center. >> Yes, there's a I think there's seven. >> Okay. And currently you have one uh panel on the multi-tenant freestanding sign. Correct. >> Yes. And that's among the other seven
tenants, >> correct? >> Um, you mentioned that there are other uh competitors or other operating cannabis dispensaries on Route 22. Are you familiar with any of their signage just generally? >> Yeah, so AYR is one of them. They have a
freestanding sign, just one big sign, um, just displaying their business. And then I think there's a a new dispensary, I don't know if they're open yet, called Best Buds, again similar. They have a freestanding sign just displaying their business. >> Sorry. Go ahead. >> Yeah, it's very it's large and conspicuous.
>> So, I know we have uh Mr. Gallerano who will at the planner who will come up and give more detailed technical testimony, but in your opinion, do you feel what you're proposing is consistent with the other businesses in the area? >> Yes, very similar. >> Chairman, board members, I have nothing
further uh on direct for Mr. Patel. >> Are there any board members that would like to question the testimony that Mr. Mr. Patel is given hearing none. Are there any members of the public that would like to question Mr. Patel? Hearing none. Councelor, your next
witness. >> Great. Thank you, chairman. Thank you, Mr. Patel. Our next and final witness is Anthony Gallerano from Harbor Consultants who civil engineer and professional planner. Uh Mr. Gallerano and his office prepared the variance plan before you this evening. >> Can I ask the witness to swear or affirm
that any testimony you provide this evening will be the truth and the whole truth? Yes, I will. >> And for the record, could you state and spell your name with your affiliation? >> Sure. It's Anthony Gallerano. G- A L L E R A N O uh with the firm of Harbor
Consultants. We're located at 320 North Avenue East in Cranford. Mr. Gallerano, for the board and the public, your education, area of expertise, and the licenses you hold. >> Sure. I have a bachelor of science degree from the New Jersey Institute of Technology. uh graduated in 1984
uh in civil engineering. I've been licensed as a professional planner and professional >> engineer will accept his credentials. >> Thank thank you very much. >> Thank you chairman. Uh Mr. Galleran, before you give any testimony, I know you have a number of exhibits. Uh why don't we bring those up on the screen.
Um we're going to pick up with A3 for your first exhibit. Before you provide any testimony, if you could just identify it for the record. Um, okay. Here we go. Uh, so the, uh, exhibits, uh, you want to go through the exhibits first. >> Your first one we'll call A3. Is that
the aerial? >> First one is an aerial exhibit. >> I don't. Did you bring? >> I did not bring hard copy. >> I'll email them. >> Yep. So this is the uh aerial exhibit taken from uh Google Maps and we we've
highlighted the uh the property in red. Um this is uh a strip mall sits on a 1.34 acre site. Uh it's located on the eastbound side uh of Route 22 on the right side. Uh to to the rear or to the
south is the point uh condominiums. Uh directly across the street to the north is the uh the Chick-fil-A uh the Kdoba as you can see the uh the ship. Uh directly to the um to the west is the
Burger King and then uh to the east is Ball Avenue and then across is another little small uh strip center. Uh this site is accessed uh basically through uh the two primary entrances are right off
of uh Route 22. Uh, interestingly, the um the entrance is on the far side. So, as you're you're heading eastbound, uh you pass the exit and then you enter on the far driveway circle and then you would exit uh on the uh the westerly
side. Uh there's also an additional uh curb cut out out out to Ball Avenue. Uh the um the site contains several uh tenants. Uh one of the more noticeable ones is the wing stop. Uh that's to the west really on the west side of the uh
the building uh right on the corner. Uh the uh Berara dispensary is more to the east. It's somewhere around here. It's like the second store in uh uh from the end. Um so what the uh the applicant as you
mentioned he operates the uh the the dispensary. Uh this was Mr. Proparo pointed out this was previously granted a D3 conditional use variance. Uh dispensaries are a conditional use in the CC corridor commercial zone. Uh
because of the proximity to the point uh this required a D3 variance. Uh dispensary is required to be 1500 ft uh from residential uh use. So uh that however that that that was granted.
Um so with the there is one existing sign. Uh I'm going to uh switch to the uh to the site plan. Uh this this is unaltered. Uh this was uh basically uh what you see
is what was submitted uh to the board. Again, no uh no alterations. Uh I just wanted to to zoom in. So currently the existing sign is right about this location here that I'm
circling. That's about 2/3 from the the beginning of the property or from the westerly property line. Um that um the sign the applicant is proposing is further to the west which is right in this location. Um again it would be
located in a in a grass island. So there's no alteration to the uh to the parking lot uh that needs to be performed in in order to accommodate that the uh pan.
So down in the lower leftand corner there's the uh this the sign uh detail and So, this is going to be a freestanding sign. There's going to be two two uh two
panels, two sign panels. Uh the the primary um sign panel is uh 10 foot wide by 5 foot high uh and 50 square ft. Uh it's 20 feet from the uh grade to the
top of the sign and 14 feet from uh I'm sorry, 15 feet from the grade to the bottom of the sign. uh and that's conforming dimensionally conforming uh to the ordinance. Uh uh a v the variance here is is triggered because under your
ordinance you're only allowed one freestanding sign uh in the in the CC zone on a property that has a frontage of 300 feet or greater. So this this property qualifies for one sign uh and they have that sign there. Now there is
one sign. So the second sign would would trigger uh an SC variance. Uh also proposed are just two small um directional signs which would one which would be at the ent entrance and the uh exit. Uh the the uh owner has mentioned
that some of his uh clients sometimes get confused as to which way to enter uh and leave. So we think this would help uh with the traffic circulation. I also have a uh a detail a color
detail. Uh so this is something um new. This was not submitted with the application. >> So we'll mark the colored rendering of the sign as exhibit A4. >> Um okay, what just happened? Um yeah, so
as you can see the the main panel, uh you can see the colors. It has the brand uh logo and and a QR code card uh QR code. Uh just below that um the applicant is also proposing a a digital panel which would just be able to have a
changeable message. Uh this would be a static message. It wouldn't be something that would be changing or scrolling. Uh they would just be able to throw up a message. Uh whatever. It could be a greeting. It could be welcome. It could be, you know, happy Thanksgiving. It
could be uh we're having a sale uh or you know their store hours uh or any additional information that they feel might help uh you know get more pe get people to the site uh easier. Mr. Gallerano and I could should have asked this question to Mr. Patel but in our
preparation uh Mr. Patel advised that the CRC, the state cannabis regulatory commission, restricts certain messaging on that and the applicant's not proposing to advertise any product or any kind of uh prohibited messaging. Is that your understanding?
>> Yeah, correct. Uh I'm not 100% familiar, but I think like things like pricing um like sale like you can't say like there's going to be a 20% off or something like that. And I think you can say that yeah, there's a a spring sale going on, but there's restrictions to what you can actually put up on the sign
as far as information. >> So to your understanding, it would be QSR or it would be hours of operation or the messaging that the general messaging that you've identified. >> Yeah, just general type type messaging. >> I think for the record too, Mr. Proparo,
and not to cut you off, Mr. Galler, was that the town also has certain standards expected for digital signs. So there will obviously be expected to be maintained as well. >> Agree. Understood. >> Both I think some of it as to the illumination and andor timing for the messaging,
>> right? No animation or flashing or scrolling or things like that. So it's got to be a static static message. Um however, the the the second sign board, the smaller digital sign board does trigger two additional variances. Um the
the sign board is is 15 square feet. So that increases the total square footage of 65 exceeds the 50. So that generates an additional C variance required. Uh the height um to the bottom of the uh
sign it's got a uh the requirement is 15 foot minimum and this would only be 10.5 ft. So that generates a an additional C variance. So in all total we have the C variance for the second sign, C variance for the total square footage and then C
variance for the height to the unders underside of the of the sign. Mr. Galler, I just want to stay on that blast variance. The clearance, what I call clearance from the ground to the bottom of the digital panel. My understanding of the reasoning behind that code provision is to ensure that
there's adequate site visibility. Correct. >> Correct. Correct. And when you and your firm were finding a location for this proposed sign, did you take into consideration visibility of drivers and obstructions? I did um you know hearing
feedback from my client and I also went out there and did drive this several times and I I do have um some ex additional exhibits that kind of demonstrate um why the sign was placed and kind of the rationale for why why it
was placed uh to why they want another sign to the the westerly part of the site. And while you're bringing up that exhibit, did you locate the sign so that it would not have any obstructions of visibility? >> Correct. So, this is a street view. Um, again,
taken from Google. I I d I've driven this several times. I didn't attempt to try to take a picture. >> Let's Let's mark this A5. This is a Google Street View. >> A Google Street View. Yeah. >> And you said you drove this several times as the as the observer. Does this accurately reflect what you've observed?
>> Yeah. This is what you would see if you were driving. Again, I I didn't for safety reason I didn't attempt to try to take a picture while I was driving. Um, but this this shot would be right about in front of the Burger King. Right. This is the Burger King driveway here. So,
you would be if you were driving down Route 22, you'd be positioned right about in front of the Burger King. As you can see, the visibility, you're not really seeing much, right? That sign isn't isn't all that isn't really coming into view. Um, I'm going to zoom in a
little bit. There's actually a a utility pole that actually kind of blocks the existing sign right now. >> Is this is all one sign that we're I mean one photo that we're looking at or >> Yeah, it's one photo. I'm just >> All right. So, we'll call it A4 for the record just so I keep a handle on what we're looking >> A5. >> Oh, A5. >> Yeah. >> Yeah,
>> it was A4. I missed A4. I'm sorry. >> A4 was the colored rendering of the sun. >> Okay. I missed that. So what the what they're finding is that people are, you know, his customers are saying they, you know, they're not seeing it fast enough. And that sign's
only about 100 feet from the to the entrance. So, you know, traveling 40, 50 miles an hour, you know, by the time you see the sign, you only have a very short time reaction time to to to navigate into the driveway. Um, as everybody knows, on Route 22, you miss you miss
where you're going and you miss your turn on Route 22, it it's it's a challenge to turn around. You have to make a U-turn through the center island, you're in the right lane, you have to cut to the left lane. Uh, then when you come back the other way and you make the turn, now you're in the left lane, you
got to cut to the right lane. So there was a um there's a was a desire on their part or they would be beneficial to be able to um have drivers um have a uh you know a little more reaction time. So
this is also another this is also a street view. >> Let's let's mark this second one A6. This is a second Google Street View. >> A6 second street view. And as you can see, you got to get you got to be pretty close up before you can really read that
sign. Like you're almost on top of it. Um, and now you're pretty close to the driveway. So, the idea of moving the s having a second sign moved further to the west is it's going to give more reaction time uh to be able to to to
navigate um into the driveway. So, we're look really considering it. I mean, you know, part of this is is a safety concern. uh you know, just to be able to give drivers more time, not having them to try to jam their brakes on if they if they think they're missing the turn. So,
uh we just think it's going to be a you know, a safer situation uh with with the additional sign. Uh so, with that, just looking at the the planning um aspects, I mean, that that's the rationale for the for the for the
placement of the sign. Um there's also some additional reasons why the uh you know the applicant we think the applicant uh you know the sign is justified for the applicant. I mean when we when we first looked at the the the negative criteria you know when we look
at the legal proofs of the variance um you know Route 22 is a heavy commercial corridor. Uh there's numerous signs up and down uh Route 22. Uh there there are some other sites. I mean, not that I want, you know, point to them, but it's
not unusual for some of these strip malls to have multiple freestanding signs. Um, just to give you an example, the the Verizon actually has two free two freestanding signs on each side on uh two on the eastbound, two on the
westbound. Uh the DXL store has two signs again on each side, two on the eastbound, two on the westbound. uh the building with the city MD and the Smashburger, they actually have seven freestanding signs total. Uh three on
the eastbound, four on the westbound, and then there's the the Golden Crust restaurant, which has two signs uh on the eastbound. There's actually two tenants in that building. Each has their own uh freestanding sign. So, it's not it's not unusual to have to see a strip
mall uh on Route 22 um with with with multiple signs. Uh we also looked at the uh the positive criteria and you know where this would fall uh under under the purpose of zoning. Uh I think under paragraph A
which is to encourage municipal action guide the appropriate use or development of all lands in the state in a manner which will promote public health safety and morals and general welfare. Um you know and then lastly
we looked at the master plan just to see you know how this how this fits into the master plan. Uh the master plan recognizes obviously Route 22 is is a heavy commercial corridor. Uh one of the goals of the uh the master plan is to
avoid undesirable non-residential uses on Route 22. Uh again this is a permitted use. It's already been approved. So, I think the the use itself um is something that is encouraged and and permitted under under the master
plan. Uh the master plan really doesn't I didn't see anything that was very specific the signs as to making recommendations to signs along along Route 22. Um I think that one of the things it does do is does uh mention is
uh the economic development you know uh supporting retail businesses uh not just on Route 22 but you know throughout the throughout the township uh and it it it is somewhat customary. I did look at other dispensaries uh and
some of them are most of them do have uh other uh do have signs that are are much larger. Um I just specifically I think the applicant mentioned the ARY uh sign and I I did take do have a shot of that.
>> Let's mark this photo as A7. >> This is a photo of AYR >> AYR again taking some street view. Uh but again from driving up and down I can this is what is represented out what this does represent what is out on the
site. So as you can see this is pretty much a very similar sign to what the applicant is looking to do. Uh there's the main sign panel on top uh which has the you know the brand and then below that is a uh a second panel which has
some information. It has they they particularly have their hours. They have the QR code. Um but again much larger, much more visible um to what the uh Bera currently has now uh at the existing
facility. Uh there's also the um Best Buds, which I don't I don't believe is open yet. I think that they're just, you know, they're fitting out and I think they're pretty much ready to open, but they're not quite open yet. Uh again, you can see it's a much much larger
sign, much more visible. uh you know they have the they just have one panel they have their brand and their logo and their colors but um I think that the the these larger signs um really help promote the business uh help the uh the
retailer uh you know just in general what we're seeing you know retail in general is struggling with you know uh you know home home shopping you know online shopping retail in general I is having challenges so Um, you know, I
think, you know, again, looking at the master plan, they do say they they do look to encourage uh to to help promote and help businesses, you know, thrive within the township. Um, so just, you know, in conclusion, I I think that uh
the benefits outweigh any detriments. I think the special reasons exist for the granting variances, and I I don't see this having any negative impact on on the surrounding area. >> Mr. Galleran, just a few follow-ups. the your firm in locating this. Again, you took into consideration safety and site
visibility. And is it your professional opinion by having a sign closer to the westbound uh to the site that it would be more visible, give better identification before the customers pass the location. >> Correct. and just better um just a little bit longer reaction time for a
driver to be able to to get, you know, to find it and get into the driveway um without either passing it or without trying to, you know, do something stupid and jam their brakes on, cut somebody off or uh you know, I miss a I miss a turn, I tend to go up and make the
U-turn. Some people, you know, will try to you know, they'll jam their brakes on not to try to miss it. So, it just I think it's it's will enhance the safety besides helping the retailer. um you know just from an economic development uh standpoint I think it's also going to add uh a safety feature um to to this
operation and >> Mr. Galleron, you received the reports from the uh township engineer uh as well as the police and fire. Correct. >> I did. >> And those reports uh they the police no comment uh fire department no comment or issue with this application. And Kier's
the engineer uh did not cite any visibility or safety issues. Correct. >> No, no, not at all. Collier's uh their letter would seem to be more factual than than than recommendations. >> No issues raised with the proposed sign. >> Correct. >> Chairman, I have nothing further on direct for Mr. Gallerano.
>> Are there any board members that would like to question Mr. Gallerano? >> One question, >> Mr. McNeel. >> Concerning the foundation for the sign, it looks like that concrete cylinders that this is going to be mounted on. Any concern on
breakaway if a vehicle was to hit that that mass? >> Um, something we could definitely look into. Sure. um that could be done. >> Well, I do note this is Rob Pansul, the
board attorney. The the Collier's report referenced by Mr. Prepar dated August 18th and I agree it doesn't necessarily have a lot of uh directive or response to the application technically, but one thing I note is the request, it's number
two, Mr. Papar or 4.2 of a pre-construction meeting. that meeting would uh have uh professionals from the township as well as the applicant. Uh I think what I'd like to reference there as well because it's not in this report and that's why I missed exhibit A4. I
was asking Mr. Monguso. I'm not sure if DOT needs to weigh in on this because of the Route 22 factor. Uh, but I'd like to try to get I'm not going to make you come back for that, but at that meeting perhaps we can make sure that everybody's on the same page because
it's Route 22 and it's really in line with what what Mr. McNeel said that if there is a suggestion that might come from DOT uh to have a sign like that installed. So, if the board acts favorably and you're in agreement,
Collier has it as a recommended pre-construction meeting. I think that makes a lot of sense. >> Yeah. No objection >> under the circumstances. They referenced police fire not only for this application, but that's ongoing, >> you know, because we said it two years ago, I guess it was. It's a newer use.
So any condition that we had from 2023, I'll just stay for the record, remains in full force in effect subject to any adjustments here tonight. So unless specifically adjusted, we're always going to refer back to that original uh resolution of approval. >> Agreed. Thank you, Mr.
>> Thank you. Mr. Graves, >> did you guys consider freestanding signs of cars driving? >> What do you mean as far as >> you said like some of the other stores have freestanding signs? So that
indicates people who are driving down 22 just having freestanding signs rather than going for variance. Well, I think we need we would need the that's basically what we're requesting the variance for because if we if we because we're adding the second freestanding sign, we have to come here
for the variance. Um because there is one there now, but the problem there now is they're just one sign on a sign board with other tenants. And I was pointing out as you're approaching it's very hard to see that that's that that's that's their particular panel on the sign
board. >> Do you want to put up do you want to put the rendering of the the proposed sign back. >> Yeah, sure. >> I noted too, Mr. Paparo, A8. I was paying attention later of the additional area competitor sign just so we have it as part of the record.
>> Yeah, A8. Thank you. >> And what you're displaying is exhibit A4, which is the rendered version of the proposed sign. Correct. >> Yeah. Yeah. So, this is considered a freestanding sign. sometimes are called pylon signs, but it's why that keeps
popping up. But um yeah, so though so we we can't put this up without the variance because we're adding the second sign. So that's why we're why we're here. >> I got a question. >> Any other board members? >> Yes, Mr. Chairman. I have a quick
question for you, Mr. G. Is this sign going to be powered up 24 hours or just during business hours? You know, I mean, being that it's digital, I mean, what what is it going to be on all night? Are we just going to have it on just during business hours of
the operation? >> Um, maybe you want to bring the owner. Yeah. I'm not sure. Maybe the the owner can >> Yeah. >> that Yeah, we would just keep it on for business hours. >> So, it'll be shut off at at nighttime. >> Yes.
Okay. My concern is at night time, you know, it could be a distraction to the drivers. So that's why I'm asking you that >> just the digital panel or both. >> Uh >> okay. There's Yeah, Mr. Patel, there's no >> Yeah, there's no objection for the digital panel to be off.
>> Mr. Patel, what are your hours of operation? >> 9:00 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sun or >> Monday through Saturday. >> Correct. >> Okay. >> Or Sunday. >> So So the sign would be shut down at closing. >> Yes. after 10 p.m. >> Thank you. Any other board members with
questions? >> Yes. Just Mr. Chairman, just to confirm, the top is going to have lights, the green part. That'll be a light it up sign. >> Correct. >> Okay. And where was where's this QR taken us? This QR code >> to our website. >> Okay.
Um, I just find it when somebody's driving, I don't know how they're going to I mean, maybe if they're parked in front of the business, they could use the QR code, but driving, I find that it's a little not safe. >> Thank you. >> Any other board members with questions?
Hearing none, are there any members of the public that would like to question the testimony that Mr. Gallerano has provided this evening? Do you have a question, ma'am? Would you please come forward? >> Good evening. >> Would you please state your name, spell
your name, and your address? >> Alan Simmons, 531, Clubhouse Court, Unit 9, Union. Uh my question is why is the request to have a second sign as opposed to just having one sign?
Because I I noticed in the other renderings that there were um there was the one freestanding sign. So it wasn't multiple signing other than on the actual structure itself, >> right? Yeah. So excuse me. Yeah. So there is there is existing freestanding sign. Um as I was like pointing out that
sign is like more to the east. So, um, we're talking about the the driver reaction time. Drivers are having trouble, you know, they're not realizing it's there until they're right on top of it, which is giving them a very limited time to figure out how to get into the site. So, um, the the second sign
pulling it more to the west is going to give drivers a better reaction time um to to get to to get into to find their way into the entrance. So, it's really just a driver safety issue, visibility issue. um aside from what I mentioned earlier about just having the uh you
know the um the bigger sign just to be uh you know for the economic development uh standpoint >> and Mr. Gallerano you referred to exhibit A5 and A6 the Google Street Views to support your position that the existing multi-tenant sign is in your
opinion difficult to read. There's a utility pole that's in front of it. Um and again there's a number of tenants that are condensed onto one panel. Correct. Correct. >> Okay. But the existing sign would remain and then there's an additional sign. And
so >> correct. >> I guess my question is more so now there's a precedence for multiple signs for dispensaries and as was mentioned there are a number of dispensaries up and down 22. So now we have groundwork for other businesses to say well competitive advantage we need more signs
too. >> Yeah. Well again you know every as you know with this board every case has to come in and they stand on their own merit. So they'd have to come in and and provide the same justification uh for for their business. Um cannabis is again it's it's it's a obviously it's
a newer business right? It hasn't been around that long. it's becoming competitive and um you know we that's what we were showing the the signs of the other businesses so they have a much larger sign um so their signs are more their their businesses are more visible even though they're all within a close
proximity so um again it's giving this this retailer um an opportunity just to uh make sure to give his business a chance for success >> Mr. Mr. Galeron, I have a question for you. So, the other two signs on the
other businesses, they are not in a strip mall where this is in a strip mall. They have their dedicated sign, correct? >> Um, >> yeah, the other two cannabis do have right. They're in the standalone. >> Okay. Um, yeah.
>> And this one is in a u in a building in an off uh in an area where there's, you know, other tenants and they're they're bound to a certain amount of square footage. >> Correct. >> Correct. >> Are there any other members of the public that would like to come forward
and question Mr. Gallerano's testimony? Hearing none. Are there any members of the public that would like to comment on this application? Hearing none. Councelor, would you like to sum up? >> Uh, thank you, chairman. Thank you, Mr. Gallerano. I'll be very brief. Um, I just wanted to uh thank everyone for
their time uh and their comments. I think as Mr. Gallerano identified uh this new sign will uh provide the drivers with additional time to hit that one driveway, which is existing driveway located far to the east of the site. Uh Mr. Gallerano has identified the safety
improvements that'll result both from the proposed freestanding sign and the new directional signs to better identify the driveways. Uh the sign is modest in size and again the applicant um has agreed to uh have the digital panel shut off after business hours to address the
concerns that were raised. Uh as Mr. Galler pointed out uh this sign is very consistent with the other businesses in the area and due to their location of the new sign um there will not be any negative visual impacts according to Mr. Gallerano or any visibility impediments.
So for the reasons articulated by the planner uh we would respectfully request the board approve the sign variances uh and allow this business to continue to flourish. Thank you very much. >> Thank you. At this time I believe we can conference this. Mr. McNeel, would you
like to begin? >> Thank you, Mr. Chairman. First, thank you for their their testimony um this evening. Um the application itself is relatively uh simple and straightforward.
Um I do believe that the positive criteria in terms of the the business growth uh will outweigh any negative criteria and I do plan on um voting in the positive. Mr. Graves,
>> Mr. Wy. >> Yes, Mr. Chairman. I agree with my colleagues. I I see no uh the I think the positives outweigh all negatives and um I think it's similar to the other signs in the area. So, I'm going to vote yes
as well. >> Miss Martins. >> Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Um, after hearing the testimony this evening, this is definitely a positive impact for the site and hopefully um, positive for the business as well. So, I will be voting yes. >> Mr. Johnson, >> thank you, Mr. Chairman. I also agree
with my colleagues and I also believe that it's going to be a big safety improvement because when you drive by there, uh, the exit is actually before the entrance, which is a normal, not normal. And I also think that the new exit entrance signs are going to help.
So, I will also be voting yes. >> And Mr. Bentegna, >> thank you, Mr. Chairman. I see no issue with this application. Uh, and I'll be voting yes tonight. >> As for myself, I too see no problem with this application. The installation of the proposed sign will help to improve
the applicant's business. So, I too will vote yes for this application. At this time, can I have a motion to grant the application? >> Yes, Mr. Chairman, I move that the board grant the variance applicable to this application and that council is directed
to prepare a resolution consistent with the board's decision. >> Second a motion. >> Roll call. >> Mr. Wy, >> yes. >> Miss Martins, >> yes. >> Mr. Brentagana, >> yes. >> Mr. McNeel, >> yes. >> Mr. Johnson, >> yes. >> Mr. Graves, >> yes. >> And Mr. Champion,
>> yes. >> September 17th, we'll put on the board's agenda for the passage of the resolution. >> Thank you very much. We appreciate your time. in your consideration. >> Mr. Chairman, there being no further business coming before the board, I move that we adjourn. >> Second a motion.
>> All in favor?