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Council advances first reading for proposed cannabis dispensary at Route 26 amid traffic and safety questions
Summary
Freeport council moved the Botavi Wellness LLC special-use permit for a cannabis dispensary at 2725 Illinois Route 26 to second reading after a detailed presentation on security, state oversight and local siting rules; aldermen pressed staff on traffic, placement and community outreach but took no final vote.
The Freeport City Council advanced a first reading of a special‑use permit request from Botavi Wellness LLC to open an adult‑use cannabis dispensary at 2725 Illinois Route 26 Unit A, moving the matter to second reading rather than voting on final approval.
Director of Community Development Heimendinger presented the application, noting the property is in the B‑3 commercial/wholesale district and meets the city’s distance rules: 1,500 feet from schools or licensed day‑care facilities and 300 feet from residential districts. Heimendinger said the petition followed the city’s Chapter 12.74 rules (adopted 2019) that regulate siting, while the state retains licensing and operational oversight. He told the council the zoning board of appeals recommended approval 5–1 and the planning commission recommended approval 6–0.
Heimendinger walked the council through the proposed layout and security measures: a locked vestibule and check‑in area, a demo sales floor with no unattended product on display, a secure vault for inventory, daily inventory reconciliations, and an extensive camera system to which the Illinois State Police have access. He said the operation would require state bonding and licensing, 24/7 security during operating hours, and strict state reporting requirements; staff recommended advancing the ordinance to second reading.
During discussion, Alderman Stacy and several colleagues asked whether there had been community outreach and were told a public hearing before the zoning board of appeals was held on March 5. Multiple aldermen expressed concern about the proposed site’s existing traffic and parking conditions in the large shopping center (near Walmart and Menards) and urged consideration of alternative locations that might better direct customer traffic into other commercial areas of Freeport.
Councilors also raised enforcement and public‑safety questions. Heimendinger clarified that while the state licenses and regulates cannabis businesses, the city controls where the businesses may locate and may impose local siting restrictions and a municipal tax. City Attorney Zito explained the city’s adopted option to levy a local tax of up to 3 percent, noting Freeport’s ordinance sets a 3 percent municipal tax that would go to the city’s general fund.
No final vote on the special‑use permit occurred; the council agreed to move the item to second reading for further consideration. The matter will return to council at the next scheduled meeting for a subsequent reading and possible final action.
Where this stands: First reading advanced to second reading; no approval or denial of the special‑use permit was decided tonight.
