ROCHELLE – The City of Rochelle planning and zoning commission met in special session Monday night to discuss which zones within the city to allow adult use cannabis cultivation centers and dispensaries.
The meeting was held purely for discussion for the planning and zoning commission to ask questions and state concerns before bringing a proposal to the city council. Ultimately, council will take into consideration the commission’s recommendations and use that to put together a proposal to be presented at next month’s City Council meeting.
The commission discussed making both cultivation centers and dispensaries need special use permits, have specific ordinances on how close they can be located to churches, schools, and public parks, and only be allowed in specific zones. The commission discussed the possibility of a cultivation center in an industrial zone while a dispensary could be possible in a B2 zone.
Chairman Wendall ‘Pal’ Colwill said that he would like to see the dispensaries and cultivation centers located in one central area.

“Personally, I would like to see the whole bag all in one location, so that we don’t have it spread out all over town. I would say put it all in one place and be done with it,” Colwill said.
During the meeting, one local business owner who has been trying to obtain a permit to open a dispensary off of IL Route 251 near the golf course, expressed his opinions on why his location is perfect for a dispensary.
“I am right off 251 which is highly traveled and highly protected, if you want to do this in an industrial area you are now going to have to have an officer patrolling that area being out there more frequently,” explained Russell Stevens.
Due to the speed at which adult use cannabis in Illinois has been happening and its large impact on the community, commission chairman Joe Thiele said that he needs more information on the topic before a recommendation can be made to city council.
City manager Jeff Fiegenschuh added that the city council plans to pass a 2 and a half percent tax on dispensaries at the next city council meeting. Funds from the tax will first be used on police and fire pension and then on infrastructure.
More information on adult use cannabis in Illinois and its regulations can be found at www.IML.org.