North Cook News

City of Northbrook Plan Commission met Nov. 5.

Here is the minutes provided by the commission:

1. CALL TO ORDER

2. MINUTES APPROVAL - October 15, 2019

Plan Commission - Plan Commission Meeting Minutes - Oct 15, 2019 7:30 PM

RESULT: ACCEPTED [UNANIMOUS]

MOVER: Dan Pepoon, Commissioner

SECONDER: Mark DeBartolo, Commissioner

AYES: Elisco, Sandler, Pepoon, Melnick, DeBartolo, Riad, Morgen, Franklin

ABSENT: Lawrence

3. COMMUNITY PLANNING REPORT

The Board of Trustees met on October 22, 2019 and approved an Ordinance to allow Adult Use Cannabis Dispensaries as a special permit use, and other cannabis businesses in the Village of Northbrook, following the Plan Commission’s recommendations on how the text amendment should be crafted. They made three changes to the Plan Commission’s recommendations, including expanding the hours of operation from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., reducing the overall distance separation of adult use cannabis dispensaries from schools and daycare from 500 feet to 250 feet, and included an amendment condition that adult use cannabis dispensaries or medical dispensaries cannot be in the Village Green Overlay District.

4. HEAR FROM THE AUDIENCE

None.

5. CONTINUED REVIEW OF APPLICATIONS

A. DOCKET NO. PCD-19-13: 430 DUNDEE ROAD & 755 SKOKIE BOULEVARD - GREENHOUSE (Second Public Hearing). This is an application filed by Greenhouse Group, LLC as potential lessee of the property commonly known as 755 Skokie Boulevard which will be consolidated with 430 Dundee Road, and which collectively the parcels are owned by Crossroads Broadway, LLC, to accommodate a consolidation and special permit for recreational cannabis. The application requires the following relief: A) Special Permit to Allow Recreational Cannabis Retail Facility; B) Rezoning of one parcel from O-3 General Office to C-5 Boulevard Commercial District; C) Lot Consolidation of two parcels into one; D) Variation to Reduce the north yard from 5’ to 4’ to accommodate the existing parking lot; E) Variation to Reduce the required number of loading spaces from 1 to 0; and F) Approval of any other such variations, waivers, and zoning relief as may be necessary.

Deputy Director Kohlstedt reported the first public hearing occurred on October 15th and staff presented a summary of the relief being sought. The applicant made a presentation of their proposed development of the property, followed by testimony from the public. The Commission found the relief excluding the specific special permit for adult use cannabis dispensary to be appropriate. The applicant is requesting a Special Permit to allow an Adult Use Cannabis Dispensary on the subject property. The Architectural Control Commission (ACC) reviewed the site plan landscaping and the proposed elevation, and they wanted the applicant to return to the ACC with their exterior lighting on the building and to discuss the landscape on the southern portion of the subject property. The ACC did recommend approval without opposition of the proposed plan. The applicant is reducing the number of parking spaces to increase the amount of green space and pedestrian connectivity. They are proposing a 9,938 sq. ft. facility with two zones; one with access by the public and the other a restricted area for employees only.

Commissioner Pepoon moved with a second by Commissioner DeBartolo to close the public hearing. All in favor.

Commissioner Elisco stated that they were never provided with a copy of the lease to be able to set a term for the Special Use Permit. Deputy Director Kohlstedt stated the lease was included in the application materials with a twenty-year lease term.

Commissioner Elisco is in favor of the petition as presented but suggested that signage be placed on site to help people realize they can use Henrici Drive to go westbound on Dundee. He would also like to discuss if there will be any administrative reviews prior to the lease renewals.

Commissioner Melnick is in favor of the application but would like to see what could be done so that the Northbrook sign is not the same as the one across the street.

Commissioner DeBartolo has nothing to add. Commissioner Morgen is in favor of the application.

Commissioner Riad is in favor of application, likes all of the green space added and hopes they can add more green to the building, solar panels, etc.

Commissioner Sandler is also in favor of the application and agrees with Commissioner Riad about the green space and would also like to see an Administrative review.

Commissioner Pepoon agrees with all his fellow Commissioners but would like an Administrative review onsite on the first anniversary to make sure traffic, parking etc. are what we thought they would be.

Chairman Franklin is in favor but also would like to see a different sign on south end of the site since the same one will be right across the street. She would also like to have an administrative review after one year to re-evaluate the traffic situation.

Commissioner Elisco moved with a second by Commissioner Pepoon to instruct staff to prepare a Resolution approving Docket No. PCD-19-13, 430 Dundee Road and 755 Skokie Boulevard - Greenhouse as presented by the petitioner with a term on the Special Permit of twenty years and Administrative review after the first year. Approved on a roll call vote.

6. OLD BUSINESS

None.

7. NEWBUSINESS

None.

8. ADJOURN

On voice vote, a motion to adjourn passed unanimously. Adjourned at 7:53 p.m.

http://northbrookil.iqm2.com/Citizens/FileOpen.aspx?Type=12&ID=1451&Inline=True