LONG POND — Tempers flared as residents fought with developers over a proposed medical marijuana facility next to Pocono Raceway.

The confrontation took place at a conditional use hearing for a Long Pond marijuana growing and processing facility in Tunkhannock Township Wednesday night. A group representing the facility introduced its plans, while a contingent of residents voiced their concerns over issues like safety, light and noise pollution, diminishing property values and aesthetics.

Natural Care submitted a conditional use application to build and operate the medical marijuana growing and processing facility at the corners of Long Pond Road and Route 115. The backside of the property adjoins Cartwright Road, where about 17 homes sit.

Local resident Cathy Fanelli said she worried about safety.

“I live on Cartwright Road,” Fanelli said. “I’m worried about the security of my property from the hundreds of employees and my home."

There will be a 10 foot fence with barbed wire on top, Walsh said. “This will be more secure than your local CVS where someone can steal opioids and die,” Natural Care President Ashley Walsh said.

The plans include three 10,000 square foot greenhouses in phase one of the project, with future expansion options of an additional three 10,000 square foot greenhouses in phase two.

New details emerged regarding the facility during testimony at the hearing. Natural Care will lease the property from Pocono Raceway, Walsh said. The cannabis facility will be a part of a complex that includes an organic farm, and the company said it would donate eight percent of its profits to local charities.

About 40 workers would be employed in phase one of the project at a minimum of $15 an hour, Walsh said. That number could balloon to 100 employees if Natural Care moves on to a full build-out. About 200 workers would be employed constructing the facility.

The unmarked, 30,000 square foot main building will consist of about 21,400 square feet of office and vegetation space, 2,600 square feet of warehouse space and approximately 6,000 square feet of light manufacturing space.

“I bought property there not to have the local CVS in my back yard," Fanelli said.

A processing plant is usually in an industrial park, where you cannot see it, Christine Daniels said.

“My concern is the first responders can’t get to an explosion," Daniels said. "They are part-time firefighters. If it’s race time, is the township able to handle 50,000 people? Is the hospital?”

Some residents expressed concern over the facility’s use of water and the affect it would have on their wells. Walsh said the process would use hydroponics, requiring less water and recycling it for later use.

Most of the resistance concerned the loss of a pastoral view, replaced by an industrial facility.

“I bought the property because of the scenery and to see stars at night," Fanelli said. "I won’t be able to see anything but fence, lights and maybe a tractor-trailer.”

Others were concerned with home values dropping if the plant is built.

“It’s going to bring down property values," Bruce Yerk Jr. said. “Who’s going to buy a house with a 10-foot razor wire fence? There’s a reason they want to put up a 10 foot razor wire fence there. People will want access to it.”

Larry Muskett is also a neighbor of the proposed sight.

“They are ruining our peace and quiet,” he said. “It’s going to devastate this community.”

The supervisors will have 45 days to make a decision on whether or not to approve Natural Care’s conditional use application.

A spokesman for the Pocono Raceway declined to comment on the project.