![]() ![]() Toia had some advice for dispensary owners seeking the board’s approval: “Make sure you’re dotting your ‘I’s and crossing your ‘T’s before you’re coming up before the Zoning Board of Appeals.”ĭo stories like this matter to you? Subscribe to Block Club Chicago. ![]() All new recreational dispensaries in Chicago will have to seek a special-use permit at the board prior to opening as outlined by the city’s cannabis zoning rules. The Zoning Board of Appeals will play a large role in shaping the city’s burgeoning weed industry. We like to see exactly how the community feels,” Toia said.Īfter the meeting, a visibly disappointed Dan Marks called their plan “just a minor rearrangement of space,” but declined further questions about the matter. We love seeing letters from the alderman, and it’s also great to see letters from the chamber of commerce and the neighborhood groups. They “are not required, but it’s something I’ve been asking about for a few years now. Toia said the letters are a sign the applicant has done their “due diligence.” ![]() He said they did notify neighbors of their plans to expand, as required by the Zoning Board of Appeals. Marks said they had a letter from La Spata but he didn’t realize they needed a letter from community groups because they were only seeking to expand inside their current location. Daniel La Spata (1st) and neighborhood groups. Toia asked if the dispensary had a letters of support from Ald. Our community, our customer base is very diverse, Logan Square is obviously a very diverse neighborhood, and I think our employees are a reflection of our community,” he said. Not just for PRs’ sake, it’s something we’re very dedicated to. 1 As Black Caucus Attempt To Stall Pot Sales Failsĭuring the Zoning Board of Appeals hearing Friday, Marks sought to answer questions about the company’s diversity in hiring before they were even asked. RELATED: Weed Will Be Sold In Chicago Jan. Chicago’s Aldermanic Black Caucus had been trying to halt recreational sales until July 1 when more minority-owned firms may be licensed, but that effort failed in a 29-19 vote at Wednesday’s chaotic City Council meeting. The 11 existing medical dispensaries are all owned by white men. RELATED: Owners Of Emporium Arcade Bar Scrap Plans To Open Pot Shop In Wicker Park In November, at the Zoning Board of Appeals’ lottery MoCa Modern Cannabis was selected third and chose to locate their second location in the lucrative Central District, scrapping previous plans to open a dispensary at the former Barry’s Drugs in Wicker Park. Under state law, existing medical dispensaries also have the right to open a second recreational dispensary. The owners also plan to use Emporium as an “overflow waiting room” for the dispensary on busy days. Recreational customers will only be able to use the entrance on Milwaukee Avenue, a few doors down from Emporium. If the expansion is approved, medical patients will be able to access the dispensary from both of the stores entrances, one on Fullerton and another at 2369 N. 1, even if the board approved expansion plans Friday. Marks said owners did not plan to begin renovation of the space before recreational sales begin on Jan. We want to make sure we’re drilling down, that we know total ownership, diversity in hiring,” Toia said. “This is a new industry, so we want to make sure we’re doing our due diligence. For liquor licenses, you only need down to 5 percent ownership, but we’ve been saying since ’15 on that we want to know all ownership, from 0.1 all the way up,” he said. “This board has been requiring since 2015, when we started giving out medical dispensary permits. MoCa owners will be required to provide the disclosure statements for each person with an ownership stake in the company.Īfter the hearing, Sam Toia, a zoning board member and president of the Illinois Restaurant Association, said asking for a full list of owners isn’t new. 17 meeting, Zoning Board Chairman Farzin Parang said. The matter will next be considered at a Jan. sought approval from the Zoning Board of Appeals Friday to expand its Logan Square storefront by 1,300 square feet to accommodate the expected influx of customers once recreational weed sales begin.īut its application was deferred by the zoning board Friday because the dispensary did not provide economic disclosure statements from all owners in the company. ![]() CITY HALL - Owners of MoCa Modern Cannabis would like to expand their Logan Square digs soon, but now they’ll have to wait. ![]()
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