Downers Grove poised to lift ban and allow marijuana sales

Downers Grove is set to vote this week on ordinances allowing recreational and medical marijuana sales in town, moves that would come nearly a year after officials initially opted out of allowing them within the village limits.

"In a time when many residents are hurting, if we can get tax revenue from a voluntary source such as this, all the better," said village Commissioner Greg Hosé, who started the groundwork to reverse the village's cannabis stance.

Three ordinances are scheduled for a vote at the village board meeting set for 7 p.m. Tuesday. One repeals the previous ban on sales, while the other two focus on zoning and taxation.

Special use permits would need to be granted by the village board for potential marijuana businesses, which would be allowed in two manufacturing districts: the Ellsworth Business Park, off Belmont Road just north of Maple Avenue, and an area north of Butterfield Road near the town's northern border.

The number of establishments would be capped at three, and they cannot be located within 1,300 feet of schools, parks and day care centers.

Downers Grove would impose a 3% tax on retail sales, the maximum allowed under state statute. If passed, the tax would go into effect on July 1.

Hosé said a majority of Downers Grove commissioners had concerns about crime and safety before recreational marijuana sales began in Illinois on Jan. 1. Rather than being at the forefront to deal with those unknowns, Hosé said commissioners opted to take a wait-and-see approach.

"Throughout the state, things have been relatively smooth - especially in other communities in DuPage and other areas in the Chicagoland area," Hosé said of cannabis businesses. "They've all done very well in generating both state and local tax revenue."

At the first reading of the cannabis ordinances Dec. 1, Commissioner Marge Earl raised concerns about potential fumes or odors from cannabis growing or infusing facilities. Village Manger David Fieldman said the businesses would have to operate under existing nuisance, odor and noise restrictions for manufacturing districts.

Hosé hopes the ordinances will pass, and that the village will attract "retail and also some manufacturing facilities to continue to grow the economy of Downers Grove."