Batavia Moves Forward With Zoning Plan For Marijuana Dispensaries

BATAVIA, IL — A committee of Batavia aldermen unanimously approved a zoning plan Tuesday night that lays the groundwork for a marijuana dispensary to move into the city at some point, the Kane County Chronicle reports.

Any recreational dispensary in Batavia would be located in areas with commercial or industrial zoning designations, the report states. That means there would be no dispensaries in downtown Batavia, which is a mixed-use zone.

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Under the zoning plan, any dispensary must be at least 500 feet from residential zones, schools, churches and parks. Dispensaries must be at least 1,500 feet apart, meaning it’s likely only one or two could open in the city, the Chronicle reports.

The zoning plan will be up for final approval at the Batavia City Council’s Feb. 15 meeting, the report states.

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Alderman are reacting to strong public support for a recreational marijuana dispensary in the city, after more than 61 percent of voters in the city supported a referendum to that effect in November’s general election.

That vote was not binding, but Batavia Administrator Laura Newman told Patch in November that officials viewed the election results as a “landslide” victory for the referendum.

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Newman said the city stands to bring in hundreds of thousands of dollars annually in tax revenue if a recreational dispensary opens within city limits. Municipalities can tax marijuana sales up to 3 percent.

"That would help tremendously, especially at a time like this," Newman said, noting the coronavirus pandemic has "put a real strain" on other revenue streams for the city.

Medical marijuana dispensaries have been allowed to open in Batavia under city policy, but none have.

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