Route 59 may be recreational pot divide
Aurora dispensary poised to open as Naperville says no
Recreational marijuana sales are banned in Naperville, and a group of residents stands strongly opposed to allowing them at any point in the future, but just across Route 59 in Aurora, a weed dispensary is poised for approval.
Naperville’s mayor is neither surprised at the potential location nor worried about the close proximity to the city’s border, though opponents of weed sales in Naperville say recreational sales would be a detriment to Naperville’s brand and make the city less “family friendly.”
Naperville City Council members in September voted to not allow recreational dispensaries in the city, but the issue will be put to voters in a referendum question on the March 17 primary election ballot. The Aurora City Council voted in October to allow sales.
Aldermen on Aurora’s Building, Zoning and Economic Development Committee this month voted to recommend a special use and rezoning for a retail building at 740 N. Route 59 where Healthway Services, which does business as Zen Leaf, wants to open Aurora’s first recreational dispensary.
If approved, busy Route 59 would be the only thing separating the Aurora dispensary from Naperville.
Naperville Mayor Steve Chirico said he can see why the first Aurora dispensary is proposed for Route 59, the road that serves as a dividing line between the two cities along some stretches.
“Route 59 is a major commercial corridor. It certainly makes sense that’s where it would be located. If Naperville approves it, I suspect that’s where they would put it also,” Chirico said. “I would likely do the same if I were one of their decision-makers.”
Chirico said one of the arguments for allowing the sale of marijuana in Naperville is that it’s going to be available to residents either way when it becomes legal statewide Jan 1. Proponents question what the difference is in being able to buy recreational pot on the west side of Route 59 in
Aurora or on the east side of Route 59 in Naperville.
“Cannabis is going to be legal Jan. 1. It’s going to be legal locally, we might as well take advantage of selling it legally,” Chirico said.
Chirico said he’s not worried the proposed Aurora site would hinder any potential Naperville dispensary’s ability to open on Route 59.
“I think it’s very likely there will be another one (along Route 59), if not us, by somebody,” Chirico said.
Aurora Ald. Judd Lofchie, whose 10th ward includes the proposed dispensary site, said it doesn’t hurt that the city’s first marijuana dispensary will likely be located across the street from Naperville, where recreational cannabis sales are banned for now.
The city of Aurora created zoning for marijuana dispensaries along major roadways in town and always expected to see dispensaries along Route 59 because it’s one of the busiest streets in Aurora, Lofchie said. But now, he also anticipates drawing Naperville residents, which will bring extra tax revenue into Aurora, he said.
“We thought we’d get one or two on Route 59 because it’s such a major thoroughfare. Naperville or Naperville not, it’s just the busiest street in Aurora, I think,” Lofchie said.
It’s not going to hurt Aurora if Naperville decides not to allow recreational dispensaries in the city after the March 17 primary election, Lofchie said. “It’s only going to potentially increase our revenues,” he said.
Owners of the proposed dispensary on Route 59 have said the location along one of Illinois’ busiest retail corridors would make it a “regional draw.”
“We feel our retail model is a good fit for the location,” said Anthony Marisco, executive vice president for retail for Zen Leaf, earlier this month. “We like to think we’re pioneers in the high-end retail part of this.”
“This is a flagship location,” Marisco said earlier in December. “We want to be pulling from many municipalities around here.”
The Naperville Police Department will help in looking for any safety issues that may arise from the dispensary if it is approved.
“Our police departments regularly train together so we have a solid partnership,” said Naperville police Chief Robert Marshall. “We will ensure the Aurora Police Department understands they can count on our department for any assistance they may need — traffic or enforcement-related.”
“We will monitor activity at the dispensary for any safety-related concerns/impact within our jurisdiction,” Marshall said.
Naperville police Cmdr. Mike Son said the Naperville Police Department is also putting officers through additional training and is in the process of writing policies and procedures for dealing with cannabis when it becomes legal Wednesday.