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 Prior to the hearing held by the ZBA, the Logan County Regional
Planning Commission discussed the request in context of land use.
The RCP evaluates intended use of land, how a change in zoning and
the proposed use might affect natural resources, surrounding
property owners and the community.
On Wednesday this week, the LCRPC voted to recommend rezoning the
land in question.
ZBA member Judy Graff began the hearing by reading off the statement
of intent for the land. The land would be rezoned from B-3 for
Highway Business to Ag for agricultural uses.
Dominic Sergi was present as a representative of Cresco Labs, who
would build the facility on the property. Sergi was accompanied by
Jim Griffin, an attorney.
Griffin explained that agricultural use would allow for the growing
of medicinal cannabis. The deadline for application to receive a
license is September 22nd, and the state will only be issuing
twenty-one licenses, one for each of the police districts.
Currently, Cresco Labs is applying for the license needed.
Griffin and Sergi stated that the growing of the plant would be
extremely regulated. “The law is extremely strict for this,” said
Sergi. “Illinois has the strictest regulations for this, which is
good.”
Sergi said that Cresco Labs is a group of successful individuals
that are Illinois-based entrepreneurs. One of the partners is a
renowned medical cannabis expert out of Colorado.
ZBA member Rick Sheley asked if any of the cannabis would be sold on
the property. Sergi answered that by state regulation they cannot,
and it will be shipped to sixty dispensaries in the state. “All
product will be tracked by GPS,” added Sergi.
Commission member Dean Toohey asked if the plants would be grown
outside. Sergi said that the law would require everything to be
grown indoors, and they would use artificial sunlight as part of the
process.
State law requires that any facility such as this one would need to
be 2500 feet from anything zoned residential or related to schools.
The land is over 3000 feet away from such areas.
“Safety and security is top priority,” said Sergi. Sergi said Cresco
wants to fence in the entire property, and there would be
twenty-four hour surveillance every day provided to the State
Police. In addition, Cresco would have its own security personnel.
Sergi said their application has been noted by state officials for
their attention to security and personnel by working with former FBI
Homeland security advisors. “We’re kind of proud of that,” said
Sergi.
“All of the product would be loaded inside,” said Sergi. The product
would then be shipped to sixty dispensaries.
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Chairman Doug Thompson asked if Sergi could elaborate on
expected traffic and water usage. Sergi said the only traffic
coming in and out of the facility would be employee traffic and
a box truck once a day or so. As for water use, they would
operate off of well and septic systems, not city water and
sewage, expecting to use 3,000 gallons of water per day. In
addition, they would only be able to utilize a small list of
approved fertilizers and pesticides. “The list is much smaller
than for any farm,” said Griffin.
Sergi said they will not build anything unless the license is
granted. Cresco wants to rezone 40,000 square feet of land so
they can be prepared for potential growth in the future.
Only media and Sgt. Kaufman representing the Logan County
Sheriff were present for the hearing. There was no public
opposition to the operation or the rezoning.
After listening to the applicants and discussing the land
amongst themselves, the ZBA voted unanimously to recommend that
the land be rezoned. The final decision will be made by the
Logan County Board later this month.
Members of the ZBA present were Doug Thompson, chairman; Dean
Toohey, Rick Sheley, Judy Graff and Brett Farmer. Zoning Officer
Will D'Andrea was also present. Sergi said the site would be
an $8 million dollar project to build. Roughly 150 construction jobs
would be created for this project, with forty full-time positions
being created to run the operation in the first year. These jobs
would include manufacturing, cultivating, and management positions.
“We’ll have four or five harvests a year,” said Sergi.
Sergi said Cresco has looked in other areas in the state, and they
are eager to work in the county. “We found a good site that will
meet all of our requirements,” said Sergi. “We’re solely focused on
working here in Logan County.”
Cresco would have to begin operation within six months or lose the
license. Part of the application involves a fee of over $250,000 and
a bond of $2 million.
[By DEREK HURLEY]
Related articles:
Company eye's north Lincoln for Medical
Marijuana production
County planning commission approves rezoning
City prepares to permit compassionate use
medical Cannabis growing and dispensing facilities
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