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Town of Riverhead
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Brother Bear Canna correspondence

Town of Riverhead

Summary

The cannabis farm wanted an 8-foot deer fence and more paved coverage than the agricultural zone allows. The board said no, finding the community detriment outweighed the benefit — a win for the Calverton residents who packed the room.

At a glance

Total mentions
5
Last 30 days
0

Last discussed Aug 6, 2026.

Impact analysis

💰Financial impact

Residents argue the operation would seek agricultural tax breaks while an $8-million-a-year business pays less than surrounding homes.

✅Who benefits

Calverton residents who opposed the fence height and extra paving.

⚠️Who could be affected

The applicant, who must now redesign or abandon the fence and coverage plan.

Mentions & discussions (5)

MeetingAug 6, 2026

Planning Board - Aug 6, 2026

Neighbors have been pushing for months to force a full environmental review of the proposed 27,489-square-foot cannabis greenhouse next to town-owned open space in Calverton. The board's unanimous Type I classification means the applicant must now complete a full environmental assessment before the project advances.

MeetingJul 2, 2026

Planning Board - Jul 2, 2026

Six pieces of correspondence from Robert Gass regarding the Brother Bear Canna site plan were received and acknowledged, including a late-arriving June 29 letter.

MeetingJun 18, 2026

Planning Board - Jun 18, 2026

A 27,489-square-foot cannabis greenhouse is proposed on Middle Road in the Agricultural Protection zone. Neighbors say it's an industrial operation masquerading as a farm, and the board wants a real noise study before going further.

MeetingMay 21, 2026discussed

Planning Board - May 21, 2026

The cannabis greenhouse project returned with revised plans after the ZBA denied its variances. Neighbors packed the room worried about odor, noise, PFAS in irrigation water, property values and the agricultural tax break a $20 million operation might claim. The board can't vote until the applicant trims the building to meet the 15% coverage cap.

MeetingJan 8, 2026

Zoning Board of Appeals - Jan 8, 2026

The cannabis farm wanted an 8-foot deer fence and more paved coverage than the agricultural zone allows. The board said no, finding the community detriment outweighed the benefit — a win for the Calverton residents who packed the room.

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