Darien Marijuana Debate Continues

DARIEN, IL — A businesswoman told the City Council this week she wanted to open a marijuana shop in Brookhaven Plaza if she gets a state license. But a council majority voted against allowing such a store in the shopping center.

At Monday's council meeting, a number of residents urged aldermen to ban marijuana businesses from Brookhaven, saying it was in the heart of Darien. They also took the council majority to task for allowing such shops in the first place, noting many suburbs did not.

In September, the council voted 4-3 to allow marijuana shops. The state has given towns and counties the right to ban the sale of recreational marijuana, which becomes legal statewide Jan. 1.

At the meeting, Anne Murphy, a Hinsdale lawyer, touted her plan for the marijuana shop, saying it would resemble a high-end boutique. Based on her family's experience in other states, she estimated the business could bring $600,000 to $900,000 in tax money for the city.
Responding to arguments that Brookhaven was a bad spot for the shop, Murphy said it would be "very discreet."

"There are strict advertising rules. Regardless of those rules, we are not looking to be flashy," said Murphy, whose business partner is Darien resident Bia Tyk, a private detective.

Both Murphy and city officials agreed the chances of her getting a license are remote, given the competition statewide.

After her speech, a series of residents spoke out against her plans.

"They care about their bottom line. It's hugely profitable. They want the best location," resident Edward Mack said.

Jeanna Wiggins, who grew up in Darien and moved back five years ago, urged the council to be stringent with marijuana businesses.

"This is not the Darien I knew. It has changed so much and not for the good," she told the council.

She and other residents told the council the city should have done a better job informing the public about the September vote.

In response, Mayor Joseph Marchese said the city got the word out in its regular newsletter, Darien Connect, and conducted a survey. But he said the city was looking at ways to improve its communications. In any case, he said he wrongly thought the council would have rejected marijuana sales.

On the council's meeting agenda was an ordinance that listed sites where marijuana sales would be allowed. Fifth Ward Alderwoman Mary Sullivan asked to strike Brookhaven from the list. She said Brookhaven was considered the center of Darien, where children often congregate. She also said the proposed store would be near a karate studio.

"We do not need to showcase the dispensary by putting it in the center of town," Sullivan said. "The optics are bad. It would forever change our community, our family-friendly atmosphere."

First Ward Alderman Ted Schauer said he doubted the estimates of potential tax money from a marijuana business, saying he did not think it would bring in even $300,000. With marijuana sales in town, he said, the city likely would need to add two or three new officers to the 38-member police force, which would hurt efforts to shore up the police pension fund.

In an emotional speech, Schauer railed against marijuana.

"I don't want my kids smoking grass. I don't want to see grass around here. I'll be the first to tell you that I smoked it in high school. I quit when I was a teenager. I don't want to be around it," he said. "We fought for a year to make sure Sterigencs was shut down. We fought for a year day in and day out to make sure our families were protected. We better protect our families by stopping this cannabis crap."

Sixth Ward Alderman Eric Gustafson told the council he had walked around Brookhaven before the meeting and identified at least three businesses that sold liquor, two that sold cigarettes and another where gambling took place.

He questioned why some of his colleagues were fine with those sales, but not marijuana.

"Cigarettes, liquor and opioids all kill you. You don't die from marijuana," he said.

Gustafson said he would propose the city ban sales of liquor and cigarettes at Brookhaven going forward if the council prohibits marijuana sales there.

"What happens to the center if all of those businesses leave. You can take that all out, but Brookhaven wouldn't stay," he said.

Second Ward Alderman Lester Vaughan said the marijuana shop would boost Darien's economy, bringing tax money that would help with pensions and economic development. And he said it was better to have such a shop in a high-profile spot rather than the outskirts of town.

"If you have it visible, people are less likely to do something illegal," Vaughan said.

Near the end of the meeting, a man who said he was a Darien native and Hinsdale South alum said he was also applying for a marijuana shop in Darien.

"Brookhaven is not the place. I'm happy about that," he said.

If the state does not pick either him or Murphy, the man said, then Darien likely would not have a marijuana business.

The council voted 5-2 against allowing marijuana sales at Brookhaven. Voting to ban it were Sullivan, Schauer, Vaughan, Joseph Kenny and Thomas Chlystek. In voting for the prohibition, Vaughan said he based his decision on feedback from constituents, calling the vote "tough." The dissenters were Gustafson and Thomas Belczak.

In the September vote, those favoring marijuana sales in town were Belczak, Chlystek, Gustafson and Vaughan. Voting against were Kenny, Schauer and Sullivan.