Vote Favors Zoning For Recreational Pot Sales In St. Charles

ST. CHARLES, IL — The planning and development committee voted 6-3 Monday in favor of a set of special use regulations that would authorize no more than two recreational cannabis retailers in St. Charles, according to the Daily Herald. The measure includes limiting the placement of the dispensaries to the regional and community business zoning districts, and at least 250 feet from the property lines of schools, day cares and single-family residences, according to a measure that will now go before the city council.

The provision also includes proposed requirements for shop operators, in addition to making sure Zen Leaf, St. Charles' current medical marijuana business, would be able to also open a recreational dispensary in the zoning districts mentioned above, according to City aldermen. The Daily Herald added that Alderman Maureen Lewis motioned to ban recreational sales, but this motion was voted down 3-6.

>> Residents' thoughts on both sides of the issue

The plan commission held an initial meeting on Sept. 17 and received several comments from the public regarding their thoughts on the sale of pot in town once it becomes legal to sell for recreational purposes on Jan. 1. On Aug. 19, aldermen with the city's government operations committee voted 6-3 to direct city staff to begin the process of amending the city's zoning ordnance to allow two recreational sales facilities in town: one on the city's east side and one on the city's west side, according to a news release from the city of St. Charles.

The city council will have the final say on whether St. Charles will sell marijuana for recreational use in town, according to city officials.

MORE ON PATCH:

• Vote Favors Recommending Pot Retailers Be Allowed As Special Use
• Vote Favors Starting Zoning Process For St. Charles Pot Retailers
• Chicago Wants Your Input On Proposed Recreational Pot Regulations

While all people over the age of 21 years old will be able to possess and consume marijuana privately starting on Jan. 1, municipalities can choose whether to allow retail cannabis stores in their communities.

City officials can also determine, if allowed, how many stores can sell marijuana and where those stores will be located.

Patch recently reached out to readers in St. Charles, asking: Do you think recreational marijuana should be sold in St. Charles once it becomes legal for use across the state on Jan. 1?

RELATED: Recreational Cannabis Sales In St. Charles: Discussion Date

Jon, a community member, replied, "Something like this should have a special vote from St. Charles residents, not from just a few aldermen for over 35,000 residents. Don't forget they work for us, we pay their salaries, and their pensions."

>> Tell us what you think should be done in the replies.

Marijuana will be available over the counter to more than 12 million people in Illinois — more than the population of Washington and Oregon combined and twice as many people as Colorado — starting Jan. 1. Patch recently reported the law gives a head start to established medical marijuana dispensaries for the initial year of legal weed by allowing them first crack at the recreational market.

(See map of Illinois and Chicago suburb cannabis dispensaries)

More information and updates: stcharlesil.gov