1st Plainfield Cannabis Dispensary OKed For Special Use Permit

PLAINFIELD, IL — Plainfield's first recreational-use cannabis dispensary is coming. The Village Board met Monday night and voted 4-3 to approve a special use permit for the business.

The item marginally passed the Board, with Mayor John Argoudelis serving as the tie-breaking vote. Trustees Tom Ruane, Margie Bonuchi and Richard Keifer voted in favor, while Brian Wojowski, Patricia Kalkanis and Cally Larson were against.

Terrabis will take over the former Hardee's building at 16020 S. Route 59. The company will preserve the existing 3,140-square-foot structure and maintain the current general site layout but needs a special use permit due to its unique characteristics and circumstances, according to village documents.

The Plainfield location, just off Renwick Road, will be the second to open in the state. Besides the southern Illinois store that opened in June 2023 in Grayville, Terrabis also currently operates five dispensaries in Missouri.

The dispensary is expected to generate a similar amount of traffic as the previous quick-service restaurant, according to Jake Melrose.

The Plan Commission met Feb. 6 to discuss Terrabis's opening before commissioners unanimously voted to recommend the project. Upon the Board's approval of the special use permit, the company will have 120 days to submit a complete building permit application, with all necessary architectural drawings for both internal and external modifications to the property.

"They'll need to move fast," said Bryan Wellner, a partner at the Joliet-based Mahoney, Silverman & Cross law firm representing Terrabis. "My client is up for that challenge. They're ready to hit the ground running, and they're ready to be a part of the Plainfield community."

Bryan Wellner, a partner at the Joliet-based Mahoney, Silverman & Cross law firm representing Terrabis.

When the Board voted in December 2023 to allow the sale of recreational cannabis in Plainfield, it was with the stipulation that only two dispensaries could open within the village: one north and one south of Lockport Street. With Terrabis set to open, no other dispensaries will be permitted south of Lockport Street under current ordinances.

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