Recreational Cannabis On Agenda Again For Monday Board Meeting

NEW LENOX, IL — The New Lenox Board of Trustees are scheduled to hear a second update at its meeting Monday on possible plans to reverse the Village's stance on the sale of recreational cannabis within the Village, according to the agenda for Monday's meeting.

The board first heard from Village staff about the proposed change in the ordinance at its Dec. 13 meeting. At that time, Village staff advised the board that the Village could possibly allow for up to one cannabis dispensary and one cultivation center. It would still be possible for additional businesses to operate in the Village, but that would require updating again the special use permits required to do so, Assistant Village Manager Robin Ellis told the board at its Dec. 13 meeting.

Other limitations proposed at the Dec. 13 meeting on any recreational cannabis-related businesses included:

• Requiring special use permits for each establishment, which would give the Village Board of Trustees more authority to control which potential businesses could exist and under what conditions.
• Establishing a 500-foot boundary from any cannabis dispensary and a 1,500-foot boundary from any cultivation center and schools, daycare centers, parks or churches.
• Strict safety requirements, including security cameras, lighting or other improvements the Village deems necessary, at the cost of the business.

The notion of the Village switching its stance on recreational cannabis sales, which it prohibited in 2019, has been discussed at several committee meetings leading up to Monday's Board of Trustees meeting.

The Village Committee of the Whole reexamined the issue during its Oct. 18 meeting, where it was told by New Lenox Mayor Tim Baldermann and Village staff that the issues the board had two years ago seemed to have been abated, and that "if the Village Board is so inclined to allow recreational cannabis there are safeguards that we can put in place," according to Village documents from that meeting.

Then, the New Lenox Plan Commission took up the issue at its Nov. 16 meeting. The Plan Commission did recommend to the Village Board of Trustees to consider by a 6-1 vote to allow for recreational cannabis sales, according to Village documents.

The Plan Commission met again Dec. 21 to hold a public hearing on the proposed changes in the ordinance. Public records from that meeting have not yet been posted by the Village.

Monday's meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. at the New Lenox Village Hall, 1 Veterans Parkway.

Related:

• New Lenox Prohibits Recreational Cannabis Sales
• New Lenox To Consider Revisiting Recreational Cannabis Stance
• High Times Ahead? Board Weighs Cannabis Sales In Village