The city of Peoria has two proposed sites for medical marijuana dispensaries and one location for a cultivation center. City Community Development Director Ross Black says applications were made for possible dispensaries at a strip mall on University north of Forrest Hill and at a vacant building on Willow Knolls east of Radnor Road. There’s also an application for a cultivation center on Galena Road. The City Council also asked staff to allow area businesses and residents to comment on any proposed dispensary. Black says staff will work to make any cannabis sites go through the city’s ‘special use’ process:
“It requires a public hearing, and it requires postcards being sent out and notices being posted. That creates the opportunity for the public to comment on particular sites.”
Black says the Planning and Zoning board would have to approve the special use change. The state has the final say on approving any cultivation or dispensary sites. In other business, the Council approved a plan to rejuvenate the Wisconsin Avenue Business Corridor, although currently no funding is planned for the project.