Metuchen Planning Board approves drive-thru marijuana dispensary plan

By Alvin Wu
Domestic Affairs
Metuchen Planning Board approves drive-thru marijuana dispensary plan

Front view of the vacant bank building that Dasco Solutions intends to convert to a drive-thru marijuana dispensary in Metuchen. Taken Feb. 15, 2023. ZFJ/Alvin Wu

METUCHEN, N.J., Feb. 18 (ZFJ) — The Metuchen Planning Board adopted a resolution at its reorganization meeting on Jan. 4 to approve Dasco Solutions’ drive-thru marijuana dispensary plan.

Dasco intends to convert a 3,037 square foot former bank building at 700 Middlesex Avenue into a cannabis dispensary. It presented its proposal to the board on Nov. 2, 2023, and the resolution reflects the board’s actions on that date.

RESOLUTION 23-1368 VOTE RESULTS

Yes (6)No (0)
Ellen Clarkson
Jason Delia
Linda Koskoski
Lauren Cohn
Shannan Foat-Gelber
Eric Erickson

The vote was for the people who were present at the Nov. 2 meeting. Jonathan Lifton did not participate in the vote since he voted against the application.

NOV. 2 MEETING OVERVIEW

Attorney Richard Schkolnick, architect Joseph D. Javier, and cannabis operations expert Joshua Bell represented Dasco Solutions.

Javier discussed lighting, the interior layout, proposed signage, and parking.

Board members and borough residents raised concerns over excessive traffic. Dasco responded that it would be hiring a traffic control officer.

Bell said that Dasco intends to operate from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Mondays through Saturdays and noon to 6 p.m. on Sundays and that the property was intended to be an “express dispensary” for both recreational and medical order pickups. He expects between four to five employees, including security, on site at a given time, with a total staff of 12.

Bell explained that orders can be placed through a website or phone app for pickup in store or through the drive-thru window. He anticipates about 60% of the customer traffic to go through the pickup window and only a small percentage of purchases to be made by walk-in customers. Although three drive-thru lanes are available, Dasco currently intends to use only one.

Bell said that he expects 30% of a given day’s business to occur during 4-6 p.m., a high volume period, with an average of 14 customers per hour. He said that purchases should take an average of five minutes while pickups should take about two minutes.

In response to further traffic concerns, Bell discussed pacing the delivery of pickup notifications, working with Metuchen police, and employing a second security officer for at least the first two months of operation.

View of the vacant bank building that Dasco Solutions intends to convert to a drive-thru marijuana dispensary in Metuchen. Taken Feb. 15, 2023. ZFJ/Alvin Wu Front view of the vacant bank building that Dasco Solutions intends to convert to a drive-thru marijuana dispensary in Metuchen. Taken Feb. 15, 2023. ZFJ/Alvin Wu

Stuart Schooler, principal of the entity that owns the redevelopment parcel that the property is on, said that the monument sign can be removed. He said that a subdivision for the operation of a cannabis facility, a redevelopment agreement requirement, has been delayed but will have its paperwork filed soon.

David Delvecchio, owner of a dispensary in Gloucester Township and part of the ownership group of Dasco, discussed traffic concerns. He unsuccessfully proposed that a gate could be installed at the Middlesex Avenue entrance to limit entering vehicles. Dasco agreed to close the Middlesex Avenue entrance as a condition of approval.

New markings, window screening, lighting, and customer traffic were discussed.

APPROVAL CONDITIONS SET AT NOV. 2 MEETING

Conditions set by the planning board at the meeting include:

  • only dispensing preordered cannabis from the pickup window
  • new exterior lighting fixtures
  • removal of the existing free-standing monument sign
  • submission of a revised site plan including traffic and directional signs and markings
  • removal of the Middlesex Avenue driveway and entrance
  • Dasco’s reappearance before the board three months after opening to discuss parking and the two remaining drive-thru lanes
  • no queuing of pedestrian customers outside
  • perfection of the subdivision
  • installation of a bike parking area
  • cross-easement with Lot 37.02 for six parking spaces

Side view of the vacant bank building that Dasco Solutions intends to convert to a drive-thru marijuana dispensary in Metuchen. Taken Feb. 15, 2023. ZFJ/Alvin Wu Side view of the vacant bank building that Dasco Solutions intends to convert to a drive-thru marijuana dispensary in Metuchen. Taken Feb. 15, 2023. ZFJ/Alvin Wu

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