HomeMy WebLinkAbout046-O-23 Granting a Special Use Permit for a Cannabis Dispensary and Type 2 Restaurant located at 100 Chicago Avenue, in the B3 Business District05/08/2023
46-O-23
AN ORDINANCE
Granting a Special Use Permit for a Cannabis Dispensary and Type 2
Restaurant located at 100 Chicago Avenue, in the B3 Business District
WHEREAS, the City of Evanston is a home-rule municipality pursuant to
Article VII of the Illinois Constitution of 1970; and
WHEREAS, as a home rule unit of government, the City has the authority
to adopt legislation and to promulgate rules and regulations that protect the public
health, safety, and welfare of its residents; and
WHEREAS, Article VII, Section 6(a) of the Illinois Constitution of 1970,
states that the “powers and functions of home rule units shall be construed liberally,”
was written “with the intention that home rule unit be given the broadest powers
possible” (Scadron v. City of Des Plaines, 153 Ill.2d 164, 174-75 (1992)); and
WHEREAS, it is a well-established proposition under all applicable case
law that the power to regulate land use through zoning regulations is a legitimate means
of promoting the public health, safety, and welfare; and,
WHEREAS, Division 13 of the Illinois Municipal Code (65 ILCS 5/11-13-1,
et seq.) grants each municipality the power to establish zoning regulations; and,
WHEREAS, pursuant to its home rule authority and the Illinois Municipal
Code, the City has adopted a set of zoning regulations, set forth in Title 6 of the
Evanston City Code of 2012, as amended (“the Zoning Ordinance”); and
WHEREAS, CESAM LLC, potential lessee (“the Applicant”), requests
approval of Special Use Permits for a Cannabis Dispensary, OKAY Cannabis, and a
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Type 2 Restaurant, West Town Bakery, in the B3 Business District, located at the
property commonly known as 100 Chicago Avenue, legally described and attached by
reference herein as Exhibit A, and located in the B3 Business District; and,
WHEREAS, pursuant to Subsections 6-9-4-3 and 6-4-11-3, a Cannabis
Dispensary is an allowed Special Use in the B3 Business District, and pursuant to
Subsection 6-9-4-2.5, a Type 2 Restaurant is an Administrative Review Use in the B3
Business District, and pursuant to Subsection 6-9-4-3, an Administrative Review Use is
an allowed Special Use in the B3 Business District; and
WHEREAS, following due and proper publication of notice in Pioneer
North, a suburban publication of the Evanston Review, not less than fifteen (15) nor
more than thirty (30) days prior thereto, and following written notice to all property
owners within 500 feet of the Subject Property, and following the placement of signs on
the Subject Property not less than ten (10) days prior thereto, the Evanston Land Use
Commission conducted a public hearing on April 12, 2023, in compliance with the
provisions of the Illinois Open Meetings Act (5 ILCs 120/1 et seq.) on the application for
a Special Use Permit for a Cannabis Dispensary and Type 2 Restaurant, filed as zoning
case no. 23ZMJV-0020 and
WHEREAS, the Land Use Commission received extensive testimony,
heard public comment, and made findings pursuant to Subsection 6-3-5-10, of the
Zoning Ordinance, and by a vote of five (5) “yays” and zero (0) “nays” with four (4)
Commissioners absent, recommended City Council approval with conditions of the
application for Special Use Permit for a Cannabis Dispensary and Type 2 Restaurant
with the below findings incorporated into the record:
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1. Is one of the listed special uses for the zoning district in which the property lies: Both of
the businesses can locate within the B3 Business District meeting the standard
2. Complies with the purposes and the policies of the Comprehensive General Plan and the
Zoning ordinance: The commercial uses will be on the first floor of a new building at the
property that has been vacant for many years. The proposed use also keeps with the
ordinance that there must be businesses on the first floor of this business district and so
the standard is met.
3. Does not cause a negative cumulative effect in combination with existing special uses or
as a category of land use: Bringing a continuous streetscape from the train station
further west meets the standard.
4. Does not interfere with or diminish the value of property in the neighborhood: No
negative testimony has been provided. Cannabis dispensaries are regulated through the
State of Illinois and based on the Maple Avenue experience, blend in with the rest of the
commercial real estate. No harm to property values is anticipated, so the standard is
met.
5. Is adequately served by public facilities and services: It is a new building, and the
standard is believed to be met.
6. Does not cause undue traffic congestion: The traffic for the new building was looked at to
enter far enough on Chicago Avenue to not cause traffic congestion near the
intersection. Deliveries will be made in the parking lot area through the load loading
zone. Therefore, there is no concern about traffic congestion and the standard is met.
7. Preserves significant historical and architectural resources: There are none present to be
concerned with.
8. Preserves significant natural and environmental resources: It is a new green building, so
the standard is met.
9. Complies with all other applicable regulations: Cannabis dispensaries are highly
regulated businesses in Illinois. The applicant has been operating similar operations
through the City of Chicago without any incident that is known so there is no reason to
believe they would not follow regulations, so the standard is met.
WHEREAS, on May, 8 2023, the Planning and Development (“P&D”)
Committee of the City Council held a meeting, in compliance with the provisions of the
Open Meetings Act and the Zoning Ordinance, received input from the public, carefully
considered the findings and recommendation for approval with conditions of the Land
use Commission, and recommended approval thereof by the City Council; and
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WHEREAS, at its meeting on May 8, 2023, held in compliance with the
Open Meetings Act and the Zoning Ordinance, the City Council considered the
recommendation of the P&D Committee, received additional public comment, made
certain findings, and adopted said recommendation; and
WHEREAS, it is well-settled law that the legislative judgment of the City
Council must be considered presumptively valid (see Glenview State Bank v. Village of
Deerfield, 213 Ill. App.3d 747) and is not subject to courtroom fact-finding (see National
Paint & Coating Ass’n v. City of Chicago, 45 F.3d 1124).
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF
THE CITY OF EVANSTON, COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS, THAT:
SECTION 1: The foregoing recitals are found as fact and incorporated
herein by reference.
SECTION 2: Pursuant to the terms and conditions of this ordinance, the
City Council hereby grants the Special Use Permits, as applied for in zoning case no.
23ZMJV-0020, to allow the operation of one (1) Cannabis Dispensary and one (1) Type
2 Restaurant.
SECTION 3: Pursuant to Subsection 6-3-5-12 of the Zoning Ordinance,
the City Council imposes the following conditions on the aforementioned zoning relief
granted hereby, being Special Use Permits for a Cannabis Dispensary and a Type 2
Restaurant as requested under zoning case no. 23ZMJV-0020, which may be amended
by future ordinance(s), and violation of any of which shall constitute grounds for
penalties or revocation of said Special Use Permit pursuant to Subsections 6-3-10-5
and 6-3-10-6 of the Zoning Ordinance:
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1. Additional bicycle racks shall be installed on-site prior to business
operation.
2. A Waste Management Plan is required prior to permit issuance.
3. Hours of operation for the cannabis dispensary shall not exceed 10 am – 8
pm, seven (7) days a week.
4. Hours of operation for the Type 2 Restaurant shall not exceed 7 am – 8
pm, 7 days a week.
5. Sustainability measures including, but not limited to, recycling, recyclable
or compostable to-go bakery containers, and litter collection within two
hundred fifty feet (250’) of the subject property are required.
6. Employees shall not park on-site or in metered on-street parking spaces
or in the adjoining neighborhood.
7. If in the future the operator of the dispensary changes, a new Special Use
Permit is required
8. Access to the security cameras/system shall be made available to the
Evanston Police Department.
9. Substantial compliance with the documents and testimony on record.
10. The Applicant must record the Special Use Permit with Cook County.
SECTION 4: When necessary to effectuate the terms, conditions, and
purposes of this ordinance, “Applicant” shall be read as “Applicant’s tenants, agents,
assignees, and successors in interest.”
SECTION 5: This ordinance shall be in full force and effect from and after
its passage, approval, and publication in the manner provided by law.
SECTION 6: All ordinances or parts of ordinances in conflict herewith are
hereby repealed.
SECTION 7: If any provision of this ordinance or application thereof to
any person or circumstance is ruled unconstitutional or otherwise invalid, such invalidity
shall not affect other provisions or applications of this ordinance that can be given effect
without the invalid application or provision, and each invalid provision or invalid
application of this ordinance is severable.
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SECTION 8: The findings and recitals contained herein are declared to be
prima facie evidence of the law of the City and shall be received in evidence as
provided by the Illinois Compiled Statutes and the courts of the State of Illinois.
Introduced: _________________, 2023
Adopted: ___________________, 2023
Approved:
__________________________, 2023
_______________________________
Daniel Biss, Mayor
Attest:
_______________________________
Stephanie Mendoza, City Clerk
Approved as to form:
______________________________
Nicholas E. Cummings, Corporation Counsel
May 8
May 8
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May 10
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EXHIBIT A
LEGAL DESCRIPTION
Parcel 1:
That part lying West of the West line of Chicago Avenue (now Clark Street) and East of
the East line of the right of way of the Chicago and Northwestern Railroad Company
(formerly Chicago and Milwaukee Railroad Company) of the South 6.25 chains of the
Northeast ¼ of Section 30, Township 41 North, Range 14, East of the Third Principal
Meridian, and North of a line 150.00 feet North of and parallel to the North line of
Howard Street, measured along the West line of Chicago Avenue, in Cook County,
Illinois.
Parcel 2:
The North 50 feet of the South 150 feet of that part of the South 6.25 chains, lying West
of the West line of Chicago Avenue, East of the East line of Chicago and Northwestern
Railroad and North of the North line of Howard Street of the Northeast ¼ of Section 30,
Township 41 North, Range 14, East of the Third Principal Meridian, in Cook County,
Illinois.
Parcel 3:
That part of the South 6.25 chains of the Northeast ¼ of Section 30, Township 41 North,
Range 14, East of the Third Meridian, described as commencing at the intersection of
the North line of Howard Street, with the East line of the right-of-way of the Chicago and
Northwestern Railroad running; thence East along the North line of Howard Street to its
intersection with the West line of North Clark Street (formerly Chicago Avenue); thence
Northerly along the West line of said North Clark Street 100 feet; thence West parallel to
the North line of Howard Avenue to the East line of the right-of-way of the Chicago and
Northwestern Railroad; thence Southerly along said right-of-way, 100 feet more or less
to the point of beginning, in Cook County, Illinois.
PINS: 11-30-212-004-0000, 11-30-212-005-0000, 11-30-212-006-0000, 11-30-212-007-
0000, 11-30-212-008-0000
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