Lindenhurst board signals support for limited cannabis dispensaries, asks staff to draft zoning and tax ordinances

At the Oct. 25 meeting the Lindenhurst Village Board revisited earlier research and community feedback on allowing cannabis-related businesses. Trustees concluded there was majority support for permitting retail cannabis dispensaries on a limited, controlled basis and directed staff to prepare a zoning amendment for Plan Commission review.

Under the discussed zoning approach, dispensaries would be permitted only by special use in CB‑Community Business and BK‑Business Park districts; only one dispensary would be allowed in the community at any time. The proposed rules would bar dispensaries within 250 feet of pre-existing public or private schools, public parks, public libraries, daycare centers, or places of worship; require minimum parking ratios (six spaces per 1,000 square feet); allow traffic studies where impacts are a concern; and subject facilities to random inspections by local law enforcement.

Trustees also reviewed a draft ordinance to impose an additional 3% municipal cannabis retailers' occupation tax on gross receipts of taxable cannabis sales, the maximum allowed under the Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act. Board members indicated the tax could be considered at a future meeting while the zoning amendment is sent to the Plan Commission for formal review.