Lambertville’s Mayor and Council approved a resolution supporting the application for a cannabis retail store on Church Street at its Sept. 15 meeting.
Baked by the River had originally been approved to occupy 10-12 Church St. as a micro-cannabis business. When the property next to 10-12 Church St. became available for sale, the owners were able to purchase this for additional space. As a micro-cannabis business, the operating space is limited to 2,500 square feet by the State of New Jersey.
An application was submitted to the planning board to allow for the additional storefront, changing the address to 8 Church St. The mayor and council approved the application, which has been completed in accordance with the city’s requirements.
The application hearing will be reviewed on Oct. 19 by the planning board at a public meeting before it goes to the State of New Jersey for the final submission.
A resolution also was passed approving the application of Union Chill Cannabis Company to be submitted to the State of New Jersey. The planning board had approved Union Chill’s application based upon several conditions being met. These included designated parking spaces including ADA spaces and a traffic study which will be reviewed by a committee. Residents expressed concern over increasing traffic for this location, which will be on North Union Street.
Approval is also needed from the Historic Preservation Committee for signage and compliance for required window treatments.
An ordinance was introduced encouraging the use of electric car chargers and make-ready parking spaces. These parking spaces would be prewired for the installation of car chargers.
The installation of car chargers at private residences was also discussed. Council suggested restricting signage at a residence that would serve as an advertising billboard for the charging station companies. Parking spaces were also discussed and the location of chargers on sidewalks.
A resolution was passed to reappoint Helen “Bambi” Kuhl as director of Social Services and Public Assistance for another five-year term which will end Aug. 2, 2027.
Mayor Andrew Nowick and council passed a resolution to appeal to the State of New Jersey to relax existing rules for breweries. The New Jersey Division of Alcoholic Beverages imposed restrictions on breweries as of July 1, 2022. Craft breweries will now be restricted to the type of music played, food served, service of non-alcoholic beverages and limiting the number of special events.
Lambertville is joining in the appeal along with bipartisan legislators to ask for these restrictions to be relaxed to encourage small microbreweries in communities.
Two restaurants in Lambertville have requested permission for valet parking. It was agreed that the City has a limited number of parking spaces and valet parking would require freeing up some of these spaces in front of the restaurant for picking up and dropping off vehicles.
Councilman Steve Stegman said if valet parking was permitted “it would require rules and regulations not to make parking worse for residents.”
Mayor Nowick agreed that it would be a logistical problem to limit parking spaces at certain times when the restaurant would need them. Council was looking into having these vehicles parked at off-site locations such as loading dock areas.
Fisherman’s Mark asked for permission to serve wine and beer at an event on Oct. 2, for about 80 attendees. The event will take place from 3-5 p.m. The mayor and council discussed having police help with people crossing Main Street at the event since traffic is heavier on Sundays.
Fisherman’s Mark has renewed its lease of the Closson property until June 2023. Residents expressed an interest in making the historical buildings a museum. Anyone who has an interest in redeveloping the property can complete a request on the City’s website at lambertvillenj.org.
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