Village of Northbrook Plan Commission met Feb. 18.
Here is the minutes provided by the commission:
1. CALL TO ORDER
| Attendee Name | Title | Status | Arrived |
| Steven Elisco | Commissioner | Present | |
| Jeff Sandler | Commissioner | Present | |
| Jeremy Melnick | Commissioner | Present | |
| Mark DeBartolo | Commissioner | Present | |
| Jennifer Lawrence | Commissioner | Present | |
| Ihab Riad | Commissioner | Present | |
| Allen Morgen | Commissioner | Present | |
| Amy Torf | Commissioner | Present | |
| Marcia Franklin | Chairman | Present |
A. Plan Commission - Plan Commission - Feb 4, 2020 7:30 PM
RESULT: ACCEPTED AS AMENDED
3. COMMUNITY PLANNING REPORT
Tom Poupard reported the Board recently held a Committee of the Whole meeting and had a lengthy discussion about planning for future Northbrook Days. The Village is working with the Park District and Civic Foundation on keeping Northbrook Days Downtown, but there a number of issues that need to be addressed. The meeting was successful in gaining an understanding of the needs of each group. The Board will be reviewing a preliminary application for a new cell tower on Techny Road. The Board will also be reviewing a preliminary application for a new auto repair facility on Raymond Drive. Finally, the Board will review a request for an Airbnb for a large single family home on Voltz Road. DPS will be issuing a Request for Proposals for a consultant to prepare a sustainability plan. Two public hearings are scheduled for the next meeting: one for Underwriters Laboratory regarding a sign, and one for a music school in White Plains shopping center.
4. HEAR FROM THE AUDIENCE
5. REVIEW OF NEW APPLICATIONS
A.
DOCKET NO. PCD-20-02: 3151-3165 COMMERCIAL AVENUE - NORTHBROOK CGF, INC. (First Public Hearing). Consideration of a request by Northbrook CGF Inc. as potential lessee and potential purchaser of the property commonly known as 3151-3165 Commercial Avenue which is currently owned by BC Equities, LLC to accommodate a cannabis craft grower, processor, and infuser business. The application requires the following approvals: A) Special Permit to Allow Recreational Cannabis Craft Grower (SIC No. 2834.02), Cannabis Infuser (SIC No. 2834.03), and Cannabis Processor (SIC No. 2834.04) for a property in the I-1, Restricted Industrial zoning district; and B) Approval of any other such variations, waivers, and zoning relief as may be necessary.
Tom Poupard described the location of the property, its zoning and that it is an existing industrial building with the loading bays facing the street. The property is 1.43 acres with 56 parking stalls and 2 tenant spaces. The Applicant would like to locate a craft cannabis growing facility on the property. No site or exterior building changes; except installation of security cameras. They will initially occupy the 3165 Commercial Avenue space, with plans to expand to the remainder of the building. The site requires three separate special permits and is in compliance with the zoning code conditions concerning separation from schools and day care facilities. He displayed maps depicting measurements to nearby schools and day care operations. The applicant must maintain a State license from the Department of Agriculture. As stipulated in the Zoning Code, there will be no accessory retail sales of products. They must maintain mandatory signage, security, nuisance and odor control measures. When the applicant is ready to expand, they plan on adding a CO2 Extraction lab and food grade commercial kitchen. The Police have approved the security control plan.
Commissioner DeBartolo asked if the applicant has been issued a state license for the property. Mr. Poupard responded that they do not yet have a State license.
Commissioner Riad asked what the current use of the building is. Mr. Poupard said he would let the Applicant cover that in their presentation.
Chairman Franklin swore in the Applicants.
Ross Morealli, Principal of Northbrook CGF Inc., responded the current tenant in the space is Mark Vend, who is using it for storage. They will be leaving to expand into a different building; lease is up August 30, 2020.
Mr. Morealli stated he brings a lot of operational expertise and currently serves as a consultant to the applicant team that is applying to operate as a craft grower. The design is all access controlled. Cameras will be posted at all entries, exits and any rooms that contain cannabis product. All products that leave the facility are in airtight packaging. The grow rooms will contain closed loop HVAC systems that recycle the same air. The State License applications are due March 16, 2020 and licenses will be awarded June 30, 2020. Given their qualifications and experience, he is confident that they will receive a state license.
Chairman Franklin asked who the applicant is that is applying for the license and for the special permit. Mr. Morealli responded they are in the final stages of creating the actual entity.
Commissioner Riad asked who will be running the business. Mr. Morealli responded it will be managed by a seven-member board of managers. They are working on forming the entity.
Chairman Franklin asked if Northbrook CGF Inc. is going to be the lessee of half the building and soon purchase the entire building. Mr. Morealli responded he thinks it is going to be a contingent purchase and not a lease.
Commissioner DeBartolo asked if they will be making cannabis deliveries. Mr. Morealli responded there is a new license category called a transporter. His client will be contracting with a licensed transporter or applying for the license. He explained how the deliveries will be on a random schedule for security purposes.
Chairman Franklin stated they will not be able to move forward until they have someone to award the special permit to. They would reward it to the licensee not the landlord.
Village Attorney Weiss asked if you expand to a future area would it be the same operator licensee. Mr. Morealli responded that is correct. In terms of their state license for the expansion, if they are in compliance with all rules they will almost certainly receive a license for an increase in the space square footage.
Mr. Morealli was asked if they have talked to the neighbors. Mr. Morealli responded one neighbor called and asked if it was going to be a dispensary. They let them know it is going to be a grow facility.
A representative of Sank Architects stated that this group has extensive experience in the state at a larger scale. The systems in place are successful at other facilities. Regarding the odor concerns, they are growing the plants not burning them; the aroma smells like a green house. For water filtration, they reuse the water in the plant trays. They have never had issues with security. For plants they have to pull due to fungus, there is a quarantine room.
Chairman Franklin asked if there will be a power back up system in place. Mr. Morealli responded in the larger facilities they install generators. There has never been an issue. Sometimes they might run two power lines. He said they will study this further.
Chairman Franklin asked if there were any members of the public wishing to speak regarding this matter. No one responded.
Mr. Morealli stated he would like to return as soon as possible with answers to all of the questions asked.
On voice vote, the public hearing was continued to March 3, 2020.
A. DOCKET NO. PCD-20-02: 3151-3165 COMMERCIAL AVENUE - NORTHBROOK CGF, INC. (First Public Hearing). Consideration of a request by Northbrook CGF Inc. as potential lessee and potential purchaser of the property commonly known as 3151-3165 Commercial Avenue which is currently owned by BC Equities, LLC to accommodate a cannabis craft grower, processor, and infuser business. The application requires the following approvals: A) Special Permit to Allow Recreational Cannabis Craft Grower (SIC No. 2834.02), Cannabis Infuser (SIC No. 2834.03), and Cannabis Processor (SIC No. 2834.04) for a property in the I-1, Restricted Industrial zoning district; and B) Approval of any other such variations, waivers, and zoning relief as may be necessary.
Tom Poupard reported the loading bays for the building face the street unlike most industrial building structures. The property is 1.43 acres with 56 parking stalls and 2 tenant spaces. No site or exterior building changes; except installation of security cameras. They will occupy tenant space 3165 Commercial Avenue with plans to expand to the remainder of the building. The site requires three special permits and is incompliance with the zoning code conditions. The applicant must maintain a State license from the Department of Agriculture. Also no accessory retail sales. They must maintain mandatory signage, security, nuisance and odor control measures. When the applicant is ready to expand, they plan on adding a CO2 Extraction lab and food grade commercial kitchen. The Police have approved the security control plan.
00:21:25 Unknown Speaker asked if the applicant has a license. Mr. Poupard responded no they don't.
Commissioner Riad asked what is the current use of the building. Principal of Northbrook CGF Inc. Ross Morealli, responded the tenant in the space is Mark Van, who is using it for storage. They will be leaving to expand into a different building; lease is up August 30, 2020.
Mr. Morealli stated he brings a lot of operational expertise and currently serves as a consultant to the applicant that is applying to operate as a craft grower. The design is all access controlled. Cameras will be posted at all entries, exits and any rooms that contain cannabis product. All products that leave the facility are in airtight packaging. The grow rooms contain closed loop HVAC systems that recycle the same air. The applications are due March 16, 2020 and licenses rewarded June 30, 2020.
Chairman Franklin asked who is the applicant applying for the license. Mr. Morealli responded they are in the final stages of creating the actual entity.
Commissioner Riad asked who will be running the business. Mr. Morealli responded it will be managed by a 7 member board of managers. They are working on forming the entity.
Chairman Franklin asked if Northbrook CGF Inc. is going to be the lessee of half the building and soon purchase the entire building. Mr. Morealli responded he thinks it is going to be a contingent purchase and not a lease.
00:40:29 Unknown Speaker asked if they will be doing the deliveries. Mr. Morealli responded there is a new license category called a transporter. His client will be contracting with a licensed transporter or applying for the license.
Chairman Franklin stated they will not be able to move forward until they have someone to reward the special permit to. They would reward it to the licensee not the landlord.
00:54:01 Unknown Speaker asked if you expand to a future area would it be the same operator licensee. Mr. Morealli responded that is correct.
00:54:42 Unknown Speaker asked if you don't get the permission for the extra space, what are your plans. Mr. Morealli responded if they are in compliance according the to Department of Agriculture, they will increase the space square footage.
00:03:50 Unknown Speaker asked if they have talked to the neighbors. Mr. Morealli responded one neighbor called and asked if it was going to be a dispensary. They let them know it is going to be a grow facility.
Paul with Sank Architects, stated the good news is it has been done before and the state has approved this at a larger scale. The systems in place are successful at other facilities. Regarding the odor concerns, they are growing the plants not burning them; the aroma smells like a green house. For water filtration, they reuse the water in the plant trays. They have never had issues with security. For plants they have to pull due to fungus, there is a quarantine room.
Chairman Franklin asked if there is a power back up in place. Paul responded in the larger facilities they install generators. There as never been an issue. Sometimes they might run two power lines.
6. OLD BUSINESS
7. NEWBUSINESS
8. ADJOURN
On voice vote, a motion to adjourn passed unanimously. Adjourned at 8:45 p.m.
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