ACTION REQUESTED:
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Communication from the City Manager and Director of Community Development with a Request to Concur with the Recommendation from the Planning & Zoning Commission and Staff to ADOPT an ORDINANCE Amending an Existing SPECIAL USE (Ordinance Nos. 13,111 and 13,194), in a Class C-2 (Large-Scale Commercial) District, to Allow for an ADULT USE CANNABIS DISPENSARY for the Property Located at 3929 WEST WAR MEMORIAL DRIVE, Commonly Known as the WILLOW KNOLLS SHOPPING CENTER (Parcel Identification Nos. 13-12-300-032, 13-12-300-018, 13-12-300-020, 13-12-300-021, 13-12-300-022, 13-12-300-024, 3-12-300-030, 13-12-300-031, and 13-12-302-003), Peoria, IL. (Council District 4)
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BACKGROUND: Petitioner, Andrew Scott of Dykema Gossett PLLC, on behalf of Blue Apple Property LLC is proposing to amend the existing special use for the Willow Knolls Shopping Center to reuse the former Applebee’s restaurant building as an adult use cannabis dispensary.
The Planning & Zoning Commission found that the request, in case number PZ 1037-2022, met the Findings of Fact and voted 4-0 to approve the request, subject to the following conditions:
1. Repair and restripe parking lot for regular and handicap parking spaces including required handicap space signs and install four (4) bicycle parking spaces all per Section 8.1 of the Unified Development Code (UDC).
2. Ground, wall, and rooftop mounted mechanical and utility equipment must be screened from view of the public right-of-way.
3. Provide a revised landscape plan to include a continuous hedge, a decorative masonry wall, or any combination thereof along the perimeter of the parking area along War Memorial Dr.
4. All signs will comply with Section 8.3 of the UDC approved through a separate sign permit application.
5. Exterior lighting will comply with Section 8.5 of the UDC.
See the attached Planning & Zoning Commission case packet and meeting minutes for detailed information.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: N/A
NEIGHBORHOOD CONCERNS (at the Planning & Zoning Commission Meeting): Robert Hills of Westervelt, Johnson, Nicoll, and Keller LLC (WJNK LLC) representing Willow Knolls Peoria IL LLC and Schottenstein Acquisition Group LLC expressed concerns regarding the legality of cannabis at the federal level. Parcel Identification Nos. 13-12-300-018, 13-12-300-021, and 13-12-300-031 are owned by the Willow Knolls Peoria Il LLC and managed by the Schottenstein Acquisition Group LLC. No other neighborhood concerns were heard.
IMPACT IF APPROVED: An adult use cannabis dispensary may operate in the Willow Knolls Shopping Center subject to conditions above and approval of all required permits and licensing.
IMPACT IF DENIED: An adult use cannabis dispensary will not be allowed in the Willow Knolls Shopping Center.
ALTERNATIVES: N/A
EEO CERTIFICATION NUMBER: N/A
WHICH OF THE GOALS IDENTIFIED IN THE COUNCIL’S 2014 - 2029 STRATEGIC PLAN DOES THIS RECOMMENDATION ADVANCE?
1. Grow Peoria: Businesses, Jobs, and Population
WHICH CRITICAL SUCCESS FACTOR(S) FROM THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN DOES THIS RECOMMENDATION IMPLEMENT?
1. Grow employers and jobs.
DEPARTMENT: Community Development