Pot Dispensary Could Go In Former Crystal Lake Culver's Location

CRYSTAL LAKE, IL — The Crystal Lake City Council will meet Tuesday to discuss whether a recreational marijuana dispensary should be allowed to move into a building that formerly housed a Culver's restaurant on Pingree Road.

The city council could vote during the Tuesday meeting whether to allow a special use permit for the dispensary, which could set up shop at 501 Pingree Road. The Culver's restaurant that used to occupy the building shut down in 2018 and the company moved its operations down the road.

The owner of the property is listed as Americanna Dream, according to city documents. The recreational dispensary, if approved, could bring in $500,000 in tax revenue for the city of Crystal Lake, representatives for Americanna Dream said during a recent planning and zoning commission meeting.

The city council will also discuss whether to allow a 350-foot buffer between the dispensary and a nearby church. City rules require a 500-foot buffer from a religious establishment. The applicant is requesting the city council adopt an ordinance granting a special use permit with a variation to the buffer requirements, which would allow CL Dispensary to move forward with its plans at the Pingree Road location, according to city documents.

• P&Z Commission OKs Pot Dispensary Special Use Permit
  

During the recent planning and zoning commission meeting, Americanna Dream representative Tara Meyer said her company hopes to shell out $1 million to renovate the 4,500-square-foot former restaurant. The money would be spent on facade upgrades, interior improvements, furniture and security. The business plans to hire 30 employees.

The point of customer entry and exit would be through a secured entry on the north side of the building and the driveway entrance would be along Tracy Trail, according to city documents. There are about 60 parking spaces for employees and customers at the location, Meyer said.

The proposed renovations would also include a vault, product storage areas and employee break room, according to city documents. Any expansion to the building, significant modifications to the site plan or use of the drive-through window would require additional approval from the city.
Currently, the state does not allow drive-thru pick-up at marijuana dispensaries. The drive-thru at the former Culver's restaurant would be boarded up but could be accessible if the state does approve drive-thru pick-up, according to Americanna Dream representatives.

If the Crystal Lake pot dispensary is approved, it would be the second dispensary located in McHenry County. RISE Recreational Dispensary on Randall Road in Lake in the Hills opened in March.

The city council plans to meet starting at 7 p.m. on Tuesday. The full city council packet with information regarding the dispensary proposal can be found online.