Arlington Heights trustees mentioned Monday that not solely ought to the lone leisure marijuana dispensary within the village be capable to proceed its enterprise completely, however different pot outlets ought to be allowed on the town.
Six trustees current for the village board assembly Monday night time supported the continuation of leisure marijuana gross sales at Verilife, 1816 S. Arlington Heights Street, amid the forthcoming expiration of a village-imposed pilot program. The board authorised an 18-month pilot for leisure gross sales there in August 2020 and not too long ago prolonged it by means of March.
Most board members additionally mentioned they’re OK with permitting extra dispensaries on the town, although some mentioned there ought to be a cap of two or three and the shops should not be allowed in sure areas just like the downtown or inside 1,000 ft of faculties and parks.
The village workers additionally introduced a possible framework that would restrict dispensaries to designated zones: one south of Central Street, one between Central and Hintz roads, and one north of Hintz Street. However some trustees mentioned delineating particular zones wasn’t as vital as imposing a cap villagewide.
The dialogue comes because the village workers prepares to craft an ordinance for the board’s approval in March.
“There are tax {dollars} being spent on this proper now which might be leaving Arlington Heights,” Trustee Mary Beth Canty mentioned. “It is not simply that different cities are selecting up (taxes) — they’re taking away from our neighborhood, and I would love us to verify we’re holding our tax {dollars} right here in our neighborhood for the good thing about the residents of Arlington Heights.”
Whereas unable beneath state regulation to supply particular person gross sales figures for the Verilife retailer, Village Supervisor Randy Recklaus did say the village is receiving tax income near the estimate he had given in 2019 of between $400,000 and $500,000. That is corresponding to a big-box retailer, he mentioned.
Recklaus mentioned there’s been no enhance in police exercise since Verilife was allowed to increase its gross sales past medical marijuana, and there is been no reported parking points after three parking research have been carried out.
Mayor Tom Hayes, who was the lone “no” vote when the board overturned its ban on leisure pot gross sales in July 2020, mentioned Monday he would stay “out-of-step Charlie.”
“I suppose I simply do not perceive why one in all these leisure gross sales amenities wouldn’t be OK within the downtown space for no matter causes, however is OK alongside Rand Street or different locations within the village,” Hayes mentioned. “To me, that appears inconsistent.”
Hayes mentioned it is a picture concern for Arlington Heights regardless of the place a dispensary is, however Trustees Robin LaBedz and John Scaletta mentioned there can be parking points downtown because of the come-and-go site visitors.
“And not using a drive-through, it is the closest to a drive-through quick meals restaurant that you could get,” Scaletta mentioned.
