z - Retired - Economic Development Committee

Economic Development Committee Meeting Wednesday, January 8th 2020 at 9:00 AM Approved Minutes 1. Call to Order: ​At 9:00 A.M. by Chairman Harold Barry 2. ​Present: Mayor Ron Gunter, Village Clerk Virginia Szymski, Village Manager Steve May, Chairman Harold Barry, Business/Resident Representative Bill Kalafut​, ​MSD 60 Representative Sean Nugent, Planning and Zoning Chair Doug Carmichael, ​Westmont Park District Representative Bob Fleck, Citizen Representative Jill Rahn, Citizen Representative Kim Heller, Community Development Director Bruce Sylvester, Village Planner Nalini Johnson, Building Commissioner Jason Vitell, Economic Development Partnership Director Larry Forssberg, Deputy Liquor Commissioner Tom Mulhearn, ​Director of Fire Prevention Larry Kaufman, Trustee Jim Addington, Trustee Linda Liddle, Administrative Assistant Jaime Hofmann, and Resident Mary Gabriel Guests : Founder, Owner, and CEO of Windy City Cannabis Steve Weisman, Attorney John Kamis, and Real Estate Agents Dan Tausk and Peter Scale 3. Pledge of Allegiance 4. Public Comment - None 5. Approval of Minutes: Motion by Virginia Szymiski, Second by ​Bill Kalefut to approve the minutes of the December 4th, 2019 meeting. The motion passed on a voice vote. 6. New Business A. Windy City Cannabis Presentation - ​Proposed ​development of a cannabis sales business operation at 11 East Ogden Avenue. Community Development Director Bruce Sylvester began with a brief overview of the various Village requirements for cannabis sales in Westmont as well as other zoning requirements and entitlements the proposed business would need to meet in order to operate at the proposed location. 1 of 4 Steve Weisman, founder and CEO of Windy City Cannabis began by giving the Committee his business background, and tremendous success within the cannabis business in Illinois as well as nationally. Weisman discussed the business values and mission, including specific goals and transformations for the proposed location. Weisman went on to discuss the suitability for the proposed location including the site meeting distance requirements, parking requirements, and falls within the appropriate zoning district. Weisman described the location floor plan, security precautions, and facade improvements. Clarendon Hills resident and real estate agent Dan Tausk ​gave the committee some personal background information including his involvement with the industry and how medical cannabis has helped his autistic son in many ways. Tausk expressed his current hardships in terms of driving far distances to the nearest medical cannabis facility and how convenience would be beneficial for patients in need and all demographics. Committee Discussion: Mayor Gunter asked the presenter if they were renting or purchasing the site to which Weisman replied they would be purchasing. Gunter also asked the presenter what their experiences have been since the legalization of recreational cannabis. Weisman replied that they have sold out and have had lines as long as five hours. Due to the high demand, security precautions have been taken including police officers directing traffic, security, porta potties, cameras etc. Trustee Barry asked if the recreational business would be able to sell medical cannabis. Weisman replied that at this time, they would not be permitted to do so. It would not prevent medical patients from purchasing the product, but the taxes would be higher than if they were to purchase from a medical facility. Tausk added that the convenience in location for medical use would outway the cost of higher taxes. Barry asked for hours of operation, Weisman stated they were less than the maximum which is 10am-8pm and 11am-5pm on Sunday. Barry asked the petitioner about employment opportunities and where the employees would park. Weisman replied that there would be employment opportunities and that they average 20-25 employees per location. The employees would park off-site so it would not impede on the parking space requirement. Business and resident representative Bill Kalefut asked for clarification on State licensing and if there was a difference between medical and recreational licenses. Weisman replied that they are two separate licenses, however the businesses that already had a medical license were able to apply for recreational if their town had opted in. Weisman added that the four towns they were operating their medical facilities out of all opted in. Weisman commented that they have 2 of 4 great working relationships and partnerships within the communities they do business. Kalafut asked the presenter for more information relating to the production activity and whether they will be able to supply enough for all of Windy City Cannabis’s locations including the new site. Weisman replied that the production and sales for cannabis are seperate businesses, and the production facilities supply many other companies other than Windy City Cannabis. Weisman went on to explain that the production facility is capped at how much they can grow, but they are undergoing an expansion. Kalefut asked about the tax ramifications, Weisman replied that the municipalities can tax up to 3 % which could make their business potentially one of the largest taxpayers. Westmont Park District Representative Bob Fleck asked if there was a time gap requirement between purchases. Weisman stated they are not allowed to require customer information however, there are State laws that limit the quantity you can buy at one time. Fleck asked about the potential for a drive thru, similar to prescriptions drive thrus at Walgreens. Weisman replied that it is not legal in Illinois. Fleck asked about how many other locations there could be, Barry replied that it is limited and they would also need to apply for a special use permit. Deputy Liquor Commissioner Tom Mulhearn asked if there was a peak time for their other businesses. Mulhearn had concerns relating to customers parking in nearby businesses such as Jewel or Walgreens leading to pedestrians walking across Ogden Avenue. Weisman was not certain on current peak times, but commented that he thinks it varies by State. Weisman added that the amount of customers at one time is limited by occupancy however online pre-orders are available. Mulhearn asked about paraphernalia sales, Wiesman replied that they do offer some as a convenience but it is not a significant part of their sales. Sylvester commented on parking requirements and asked the petitioner to address parking concerns with the adjacent properties. Weisman said they would work with staff to direct traffic. Citizen Representative Jill Rahn suggested only allowing right turns for a period of time. Rahn asked how long they plan on owning. Weisman did not plan on franchising, they take on investors and mergers however the licences are not transferable. Trustee Addington commented on banking, cash distribution and transport. Weisman explained the complex banking process for transactions including how they pay employees and why they can only accept cash at this time. They do offer another transaction option called can-pay which involves preloading a gift card. Building Commissioner Vitell asked if the health department is involved with this type of business. Weisman commented that the edibles are exempt from the States health regulations. Attorney John Kamis said they would look into it and get back to staff regarding those 3 of 4  questions. Weisman touched on the topic of on site consumption and commented that it is up to the Village if they would allow that or not. Trustee Liddle asked the presenter how the product would be delivered and where they would be getting their product. Weisman replied that they have one primary manufacturing facility located in Litchfield. The manufacturing facility is responsible for delivering the product and the type of delivery truck can vary. Weisman stated they would designate a space for deliveries at the proposed location. Village Clerk Jinny Szymski had concerns related to parking, specifically with Las Palmas moving to the adjacent property. Jinny stated she does not want smoking on the street, Weisman replied that it is illegal to use on the street or outside your property. Sylvester discussed signage requirements including the sites pylon sign which may not be permitted. Motion to recommend the concept of Windy City Cannabis proposal as presented. Motion by : Jinny Szymski Second : Bill Kalafut Motion passed on a voice vote. All in favor. 7. Old Business A. Project Updates - ​Please see attachment. 8. Miscellaneous - Sylvester commented on the upcoming Planning and Zoning case for a luxury apartment complex proposal on 6rd Street and Ridge. 9. Adjourn: ​Moved by Bob Fleck ​seconded by ​Kim ​Heller to adjourn. The motion passed on a voice vote at 10:30 a.m. 4 of 4