P&Z Commission OKs Pot Dispensary Special Use Permit

CRYSTAL LAKE, IL — A new recreational marijuana dispensary could be moving into a former Culver's restaurant building in Crystal Lake.

The Crystal Lake Planning and Zoning Commission narrowly approved a special use permit for the dispensary, which is hoping to set up shop at 501 Pingree Road during a meeting Wednesday night. The location formerly housed a Culver's restaurant, which shut down in 2018 and 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 the planning and zoning commission meeting.

The money is not currently earmarked for any specific use, city officials said.

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CL Dispensary LLC filed the application for the special use permit.

CL Dispensary also requested a reduction in the distance between an adult use cannabis dispensary and an existing religious establishment, Harvest Bible Church, and was looking to amend that from the required 500 to 350 feet, according to the planning and zoning commission documents.

The planning and zoning commission voted 4-3 against allowing the variance with commissioners stating that allowing dispensary close to the church could set a precedence the city does not want. Other commissioners stated they did not like how close the proposed dispensary is to Rosecrance, an outpatient facility specializing in mental health and substance abuse treatment.

The approval and denial will head to the Crystal Lake City Council for their consideration. The city council will have the final say on whether to allow the dispensary.

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 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.