Normal Council OKs New Restrictions On Cannabis Businesses


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Normal Council OKs New Restrictions On Cannabis Businesses
Normal Council OKs New Restrictions On Cannabis Businesses

Printed August 21, 2023 at 11:17 PM CDT

Colin Hardman / WGLT

Normal Council member Kathleen Lorenz talking at Monday night time’s assembly.

After a lot debate, a brand new ordinance imposing restrictions on the place leisure hashish companies will be positioned was authorized Monday night time by the Normal City Council.

The council additionally authorized enhancements to Faculty Avenue, in addition to an settlement extension meant to assist Illinois State College college students in want of parking area.

The hashish ordinance amends the city’s zoning code to require a 1,500-foot separation between hashish companies, and mandates a 200 foot-separation from faculties and church buildings, doubling the earlier 100-foot requirement.

Council member Kathleen Lorenz launched an modification capping the variety of dispensaries in Normal at 4, arguing public opinion is just too break up to completely embrace the business.

“Nobody voice is correct, it’s not one set of voices proper and the opposite unsuitable,” Lorenz mentioned. “I believe they each have advantage. And that’s why we have to work more durable at a extra complete compromise.”

Lorenz claimed that with no cap, Normal may see as many as eight dispensaries complete — a declare different members met with skepticism. One, Scott Preston, shared Lorenz’s place, however the majority of the council felt the restrictions have been stringent sufficient.

The modification was defeated on a 5-2 vote, and the unaltered ordinance handed 7-0 instantly after.

West Faculty enhancements

The council additionally allotted a further $130,000 to enhance West Faculty Avenue between White Oak Street and Rivian Motorway. The brand new funding addresses elevated visitors to the rising Rivian properties by including extra flip lanes and visitors alerts.

It additionally will assist the bigger development work adjust to Illinois Division of Transportation laws. Developer
Farnsworth Group will proceed to go up design for the expanded mission.

In one other matter, the council mentioned gravel parking heaps at 612 Kingsley Avenue and at 603 Dale Avenue that may ordinarily be paved according to the city’s constructing code. However for the final 5 years, they’ve benefited from a zoning board exception.

The council accepted a settlement that extends the deadline by way of summer season of 2024, below the rationale that paving throughout the college 12 months would go away about 80 ISU college students with out parking areas.

Lorenz made up the dissenting facet of the 6-1 vote, arguing the developer had chosen to not meet code and abused the city’s belief. Mayor Chris Koos expressed confidence the developer will meet the brand new dedication. If the heaps usually are not paved or returned to inexperienced area on time, the city could start charging $500 per day in fines.

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Colin Hardman is a correspondent at WGLT. He joined the station in 2022.


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