Plan Commission backs special permit for cannabis infuser at 306–310 Era Drive

The Northbrook Plan Commission voted unanimously to approve a resolution recommending that the Board of Trustees grant a special permit for a cannabis infusing operation at 306–310 Era Drive.

The hearing cleared the way for Cheetah Illinois LLC to lease part of a 37,000-square-foot, two-tenant building in Sky Harbor Industrial Park to operate an infusing facility that will produce vape cartridges and gummy edibles. The commission approved Resolution No. 25-PC-07 (docket PCD24-15306–310 Era Drive) after staff said the proposal meets local zoning standards and does not require the parking variation initially requested.

Senior Planner Pandy told the commission the applicant originally sought relief both for cannabis processing and infusing and requested a parking variation. Staff review, Pandy said, determined the operation will be limited to infusing — the application no longer seeks a processor special permit — and that the site’s 77 parking spaces satisfy the requirement for the building’s tenants, so a parking variation is not required. Pandy also said staff confirmed the facility would meet the zoning requirement to be outside the 500-foot buffer that applies to certain cannabis land uses.

Attorney Anthony Oakes, representing the prospective purchaser and lessee, described daily operations for Cheetah: THC oil delivered by licensed transporters through an interior loading dock, receipts recorded in Illinois’ BioTrak tracking system, inventory stored in a secured vault, THC oil moved only into a restricted-access ‘‘cure room’’ for infusing and then returned to secured storage; final products would be tubed and packaged inside the building. Oakes said there will be no cultivation, no retail sales on-site and no outdoor activity.

Andy Plan of iAnthus Capital Management, who identified himself as overseeing security compliance and risk management, said the owner expects 15–25 employees and described a layered security approach: 24/7 video surveillance, electronic access control, monitored intrusion detection/alarm systems, uniformed security personnel and on-site staff trained to operate internal controls. The applicant’s plans call for interior improvements including a secured vault meeting state requirements, steel-reinforced restricted areas, badge access, multilens and 360-degree cameras, and an air-filtration system using carbon and HEPA filters to mitigate odors.

Commissioners asked about the distinction between processing and infusing, experience of the operator and implications for minority ownership provisions in Illinois. Oakes and Plan said Cheetah is acquiring an existing infuser license from C6 Infuser LLC (a subsidiary of C6 Farms LLC) and that the license transfer must be approved by the Illinois Department of Agriculture; the village does not approve state license transfers. Plan said Cheetah has used service agreements with licensed operators to produce its products elsewhere and would manage operations locally only after the state approves the license transfer.

The commission held the public hearing open only briefly; no members of the public spoke on the petition. After discussion, a commissioner moved to approve the draft resolution prepared by staff. Deputy Director Cole called the roll; commissioners voting yes included Bremen, DeBartolo, Halperin, Morgan, Sandler, Walden and Chairman Alisco (display names as recorded). The motion passed unanimously and the matter will be forwarded to the Board of Trustees for consideration at the next available meeting, which staff indicated is scheduled for April 8. Staff also told the applicant to coordinate with Senior Planner Pandy on final materials required for the board packet.

Votes at a glance Resolution No. 25-PC-07 (PC docket PCD24-15306–310 Era Drive): Motion to recommend approval of a special permit for a cannabis infuser (Cheetah Illinois LLC) and related zoning relief as amended by staff; outcome: recommended to Board of Trustees (unanimous vote). The recommendation is contingent on the applicant receiving any required state license transfers from the Illinois Department of Agriculture, and on final staff conditions and plans being submitted in time for the Board agenda.

Background and next steps The Plan Commission packet said the property is in the I-1 Restricted Industrial District and that the comprehensive plan designates the site for general industrial, warehouse and office uses. The Board of Trustees previously conducted a preliminary review of the proposal on Aug. 27 and invited the Planning Commission to a joint public hearing when the applicant filed formally. If the Board of Trustees approves the special permit, the state license transfer remains a separate requirement the applicant must finalize with the Illinois Department of Agriculture before operations begin.