Village of Berkeley Planning & Zoning Commission met Oct. 22.
Here is the minutes provided by the commission:
1 Chairman Hurley called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.
2 Pledge of Allegiance
3 Roll Call
Present: Commissioners Jones, Bullard, Routen, Villafana, Chairman Hurley
Absent: Commissioners Rubel and Lantero
Also Present: Village Administrator Rudy Espiritu, Village Attorney Greg Smith, Fire
Chief Kuryla and Commander Dan Bresnahan.
4 Public Hearing
4.1 Public Hearing regarding the creation of a new Article 12-11C of the Village of Berkeley Zoning Ordinance, entitled “Cannabis Business Establishments,” to prohibit the operation in the Village of Berkeley of all cannabis business establishments operating under the Illinois Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act, 410 ILCS 705/1, et seq. and swearing in of speakers
Village Administrator Espiritu was sworn in by Village Attorney Smith to offer testimony for the public hearing.
Village Administrator Espiritu outlined the steps of how the decision of the Village Board, the meetings and public input for Cannabis Business Establishments led them to tonight’s public meeting. Due to the results of the survey, meetings, phone calls and discussions with Board members, the Board decided to submit the amendment to the commission to prohibit the below businesses to operate in Berkeley.
Commissioner Routen commented on the fact that though the survey results of 51% voted for the cannabis business and on March 20, 2018, 63% of Berkeley voters supported legalizing the sale of cannabis, the meeting attendees did not reflect the voting results. He also asked about the tax revenue. Rudy responded that the tax revenue from the state, each municipality will receive a percentage based on the population. There is also up to a 3 % additional sales tax that is allowed per municipality which would benefit the municipality. Village attorney confirmed what Village Administrator Espiritu said.
Commissioner Villafana felt that there was not enough voter participation.
Commissioner Jones attended one of the Board meetings and informed the Commissioners and Chairman Hurley of how residents felt about Cannabis Business Establishments in Berkeley.
Commissioner Bullard expressed his feelings about the obligation the Planning and Zoning Commission has for the residents, businesses and the Village. He shared some of the resident concerns and/or the benefits that they expressed at one of the Village Board meetings. Commissioner Bullard does not believe that the Village Board secretly fast tracked this issue for approval. He informed the Commissioners that the time period that was given to every municipality is short. He shared that he really does not know what the residents want. He prefers that the residents of Berkeley decide at the November elections. This will give Berkeley some time and data to take a look at what’s going on with those municipalities.
Commissioner Routen thinks Berkeley might miss their chance.
Commissioner Jones agrees with getting more data on other municipalities.
Commissioner Villafana agrees the Village should stay as is and get more information. He collected information from Colorado and Seattle. Although Colorado was happy the first two years, they are not so happy now.
Chairman Hurley would prefer to be cautions and prohibit the Cannabis Business Establishments in the Village of Berkeley at this time. He informed the Commission that this can be revisited at any time in the future.
5 Approval of Findings of Fact and Recommendation to the Village Board regarding the creation of a new Article 12-11C of the Village of Berkeley Zoning Ordinance, entitled “Cannabis Business Establishments,” to prohibit the operation in the Village of Berkeley of all cannabis business establishments operating under the Illinois Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act, 410 ILCS 705/1, et seq.
| Commissioner | Motion | Second | Ayes | Nays | Absent | Abstain |
| Jackie Jones | X | X | ||||
| Paul Bullard | X | |||||
| Arthur Rubel | X | |||||
| Larry Lantero | X | |||||
| Bruce Routen | X | X | ||||
| Gustavo Villafana | X | |||||
MOTION CARRIED
Commissioner Bullard clarified that the recommendation from the Commission to the Village Board include a recommendation to put this question to the voters in the November 2020 election. The rest of the Commission agreed with the clarification.
6 Chairman’s Report
6.1 Next Meeting – November 26, 2019
7 Chairman Hurley adjourned the meeting at 7:19 pm.
| Commissioner | Motion | Second | Ayes | Nays | Absent | Abstain |
| Jackie Jones | X | |||||
| Paul Bullard | X | X | ||||
| Arthur Rubel | X | |||||
| Larry Lantero | X | |||||
| Bruce Routen | X | X | ||||
| Gustavo Villafana | X | |||||
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