Village Board Specially Called Meeting

Village Board Specially Called Meeting - Jul 23 2026 Agenda Thursday, July 23, 2026 at 6:00 PM Werch Board Room, Village Hall - 5 Plaza Drive Woodridge, IL Visitors are most welcome to attend all meetings of the Village Board. Visitors may also visit the Village website at https://www.woodridgeil.gov for instructions on electronic participation and livestreaming. Anyone wishing to provide comments on a topic or an agenda item may address the Village Board during the “COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC” segment of the meeting. It is requested that, if possible, one spokesman for a group be appointed to present the views of the entire group. Speakers who are recognized are requested to step to the podium and state their name, address and the group they are representing prior to addressing the Village Board. Comments should be limited to three minutes per person. Any individual with a disability requiring a reasonable accommodation in order to participate in this meeting should contact Andie Trucco, Village of Woodridge ADA Coordinator, at least five working days in advance of the next scheduled meeting. She can be reached at Five Plaza Drive, Woodridge, Illinois 60517, at Voice (630) 719-4709. Page 1. CALL TO ORDER 2. Roll Call 3. Agenda Item 3.1 Study Session: Cannabis Dispensaries 2 Study Session Regarding Cannabis Dispensaries Exhibit A: Retail Cannabis Map 4. Public Comment 5. Adjournment Page 1 of 6  Study Session – Cannabis Dispensary Zoning Village of Woodridge 5 Plaza Drive Woodridge, IL 60517 (630) 719-4750 MEETING AGENDA DATE: 07/23/26 ITEM TITLE: Study Session on Zoning for Cannabis Dispensaries TO: Mayor Gina Cunningham and Members of the Village Board THROUGH: Al Stonitsch, Village Administrator DEPARTMENT: Community Development FROM: Kimberly Clarke, Community & Economic Development Director Purpose: Staff is seeking Board feedback and policy direction on zoning for cannabis dispensaries. Cannabis dispensaries are currently allowed by special use permit in the B-1, B-2, and B-3 zoning districts; however, Board members have expressed concern regarding interest from prospective dispensary operators to operate in certain locations that fall within the Village’s permitted zoning districts. Background: In 2019, the State of Illinois approved the Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act, which legalized the sale and use of cannabis products. The legislation allowed local municipalities to “opt-out” and prohibit sales and/or manufacturing of cannabis products within their jurisdictions. The legalization of cannabis became effective on January 1, 2020. In December of 2019, the Village Board took action to “opt-out” thus prohibiting retail sales, infusion, and cultivation of cannabis in the Village of Woodridge. Page 2 of 6  Study Session – Cannabis Dispensary Zoning In December of 2020, the Village Board approved a Resolution placing an advisory referendum on the April 6, 2021 ballot. The referendum question asked: “Shall the Village of Woodridge allow the retail sale of adult use recreational cannabis products at dispensary businesses licensed by the State of Illinois?” Responses to the referendum were 55.40% “Yes” and 44.60% “No”. Subsequent to the referendum, staff received multiple inquiries from parties interested in opening a retail cannabis dispensary. On January 20 and February 24, 2022, the Village Board held a workshop to further discuss the issue. At the February 24 workshop, the Village Board directed staff to draft a text amendment that would allow retail cannabis dispensaries as a special use in non-residential zoning districts with certain buffers from residential and school uses. Current Regulations: ORD-2022-41 was passed on July 21, 2022. This ordinance allowed cannabis dispensaries in all non-residential districts with a special use permit. Dispensaries, however, must be located at least 100 feet from any residential use, and 1000 feet from any K-12 school, measured from the tenant space to the lot line. The ordinance furthermore established a maximum of two (2) allowable dispensaries to operate within the Village. In 2024, the Village approved a comprehensive update to the zoning ordinance (ORD-2024-06) which removed cannabis dispensaries as special uses in the M-1, RBC, and ORI districts. At this time, dispensaries are allowed as special uses only in the B-1, B-2, and B-3 districts. The same ordinance added that cannabis production uses are allowed as special uses in the M-1, RBC, and ORI districts. A map is attached as “Exhibit A” representing the areas where cannabis dispensaries could potentially be permitted. The regulations listed above are represented on the map. The Rivers Edge development is prohibited from developing a cannabis dispensary through the annexation agreement governing the property, and it is anticipated that the pending Zigfield Redevelopment project will be similarly restricted. As such, these areas are not shown as viable for retail cannabis on the map. Cannabis Dispensary Inquiries: Since cannabis dispensaries have been permissible in the Village, staff has received inquiries for dispensaries at the following locations: 1. 1001 75th Street (Woodgrove Festival – in line, and former Jameson’s) 2. 6310 Route 53 (Seven Bridges - former Suparossa site) 3. 2335 75th Street (former MyCare Express Clinic) 4. 2050 75th Street (Holm Audio) 5. 900 Boughton Road (new outlot in front of former Art Van) At the time of each inquiry, staff informally shared details with the Board. Board members provided informal feedback that there was insufficient support for dispensaries at the first three locations. Page 3 of 6  Study Session – Cannabis Dispensary Zoning Two different operators applied for special use permits at 900 Boughton and received approval but were not able to work out the financials needed to build. There are currently zero dispensaries operating within the Village. Special Use Purpose and Standards: The purpose of a special use is to provide the Village with the opportunity for oversite on uses that may be considered more sensitive in nature. By listing an allowable special use, the Board has made the determination that the use is an appropriate fit in the district, but there are certain details that may need additional review. The special use process allows the Village to review any unique characteristics of the site, consider the public need, and mitigate any impact of the use upon neighboring properties, public facilities, environmental features, or natural resources. The Special Use standards of approval are listed below. The case would need to be made that these are not met in order for a special use to be denied. 9-6-5-B-5-a 1. Code and Plan Purposes. The proposed use and development will be in harmony with the general and specific purposes for which this title was enacted and for which the regulations of the district in question were established and with the general purpose and intent of the comprehensive plan. 2. No Undue Adverse Impact. The proposed use, drainage, and development will not have a substantial or undue adverse effect upon adjacent property, the character of the area, or the public health, safety, and general welfare. 3. No Interference with Surrounding Development. The proposed use and development will be constructed, arranged and operated so as not to dominate the immediate vicinity or to interfere with the use and development of neighboring property in accordance with the applicable district regulations. 4. Adequate Public Facilities. The proposed use and development will be served adequately by essential public facilities and services such as streets, public utilities, drainage structures, police and fire protection, refuse disposal, parks, libraries, and schools, or the applicant will provide adequately for such services. 5. No Traffic Congestion. The proposed use and development will not cause undue traffic congestion nor draw significant amounts of traffic through residential streets. 6. No Destruction of Significant Features. The proposed use and development will not result in the destruction, loss or damage of natural, scenic, or historic features of significant importance. 7. Compliance with Standards. The proposed use and development complies with all additional standards imposed on it by the particular provision of this title authorizing such use. 8. Public Benefit. Whether, and to what extent, the proposed use and development at the particular location requested is necessary or desirable to provide a service or a facility that is in the interest of the public convenience or that will contribute to the general welfare of the neighborhood or community. Page 4 of 6  Study Session – Cannabis Dispensary Zoning 9. Mitigation of Adverse Impacts. Whether, and to what extent, all steps possible have been taken to minimize any adverse effects of the proposed use and development on the immediate vicinity through building design, site design, landscaping, and screening. Board Policy Questions and Discussion Items: 1. Does the Mayor and Board wish to further limit the potential locations where cannabis dispensaries may operate within the Village? 2. Does the Mayor and Board want to reduce the maximum number of allowable cannabis dispensaries from two to one? 3. Does the Mayor and Board want to prohibit retail cannabis sales outright in the Village? Page 5 of 6  Woodridge Cannabis Gls Consorounw Reference Map ‘ 3 o g" g a; .. (D g o l- g v- n 5 E 'U n: g 3" 2 N A 3 in an o. 63rd St 13 in: E 2 g 3 D E 67th St ’3 E a z' O ._ a M. i I) > < i 2 E u u. ‘5 5‘ N“ “6““ E g 861.“5‘ .. n .: 37th 3! Ex: tr 1! 0 E 0 E e Royce Rd Bough!“ Rd 2 Legend —v 5 - K-12Schools AllowedAdult Use E E 2 Cannabis Dispensaries rcliff Rd ZONED -- A—l -- A-2 B-l -- B-2 M-1 0R1 -- R-1 R-Z - R-3 RBC GlS Consortium Map of areas where adult use cannabis dispensaries may be allowed in Woodridge (black hatch pattern). These areas were zoned 8-1, 3-2, or 3-3, and are not WIthIna 100 feet of reSIdentIal 0 0-25 0-5 1Mil areas (zones A- or R-) or within a 1000 feet of K-12 schools (dark blue). es6 of 6 Page