Dupage Policy Journal

The village of Carol Streams amended some of its zoning codes pertaining to cannabis and alcohol.

“In the last meeting where we discussed this, we had an industry expert, Samuel Smith, and his wife Dana, and I should point out, they're not experts from using the product a lot; they're experts in their work field and are very knowledgeable about the industry,” Trustee Jeff Berger said during the meeting. “And he spoke about the safety and the regulations and that a dispensary is safer than your pharmacy. It's safer than a liquor store, and it's certainly safer than a smoke and vape shop, you know. So I, too, am perfectly comfortable. I don't think it matters if you have 100 feet or a thousand feet between anything with something that is that secure. I have no problem with 100 feet.”

Trustee Tom Garvey was absent from the meeting.

At their January 16th council meeting, city officials dealt with two resolutions amending their village code. The first was to allow recreational cannabis dispensaries in their B3 zoning district, which is general business. The second was to allow for the sale of liquor at local gas stations.

The council voted in favor of a permit to have a drive-thru at White Castle on 110 West North Avenue.

The cannabis ordinance would permit cannabis dispensaries as a special use permit within the B3 zoning districts. The majority of the village’s business zones are B3, although by area the majority of the village limits are residential and industrial zoning. The zoning commission altered the ordinance to put a 1000-foot limit on dispensaries by schools or playgrounds or other like facilities. There was some opposition on the council to passing this ordinance, from Trustee Tom Garvey, especially when the board voted to amend the ordinance back to the original 100-foot distance. The village board did approve the ordinance to allow dispensaries in their business district, however, any dispensary or development proposal would still have to go through the zoning board and the village board to get approval to proceed with their business.

The council will meet again at 6 p.m. on Feb. 21 at the Gregory J. Bielawski Municipal Center at 500 North Gary Avenue.

The ordinance amending the alcohol code would allow for the sale of alcohol at gas stations. There is currently no alcohol sale permitted at gas stations, although the convenience stores next door are allowed to. The council debated the ordinance because there was a condition in the allowance that prohibited the sale of a single bottle of alcohol, which seemed a strange attempt at prevention of drunk driving to many members of the council. They heard from some local business owners that operate gas stations and would love to be able to sell alcohol to keep their revenue stable and high enough to manage their facilities. The council amended the ordinance to allow for the sale of single cans and then approved the amended ordinance.