Petitioner Seeks Variances to Open a Cannabis Dispensary in Yorkville

A petitioner is seeking special use approval to open a cannabis dispensary at 1508 N. Bridge Street in Yorkville. The dispensary would be located near Veteran’s Parkway (U.S. Route 34) and North Bridge Street (U.S. Route 47). Three variances to the recently updated Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) would need to be approved.  The petitioner is requesting the minimum distance setback be reduced to 450 feet. Under current code, a cannabis dispensary cannot be located within 500 feet of a pre-existing public or private nursery school, preschool, primary or secondary school, day care center, day care home, residential care home or religious institution. The petitioner is also requesting business hours be extended beyond those permitted by the current code, which restricts hours to 10:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 12:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. on Sunday. The petitioner is requesting approval to operate from 9:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. on Sunday. The current signage standards restrict recreational cannabis dispensaries to one (1) wall-mounted sign. The petitioner is seeking relief from this restriction and is looking to follow B-3 General Business District regulations and also stay within Illinois regulations for cannabis dispensaries. A public hearing has been scheduled for Wednesday, October 9, 2024, at 7:00 p.m.,  at United City of Yorkville City Hall, located at 651 Prairie Pointe Drive, Yorkville.