Batavia gives go-ahead to potential first pot shop in the city

Batavia residents could be able to shop for cannabis locally as soon as this summer, after plans to operate a dispensary out of a vacant storefront on Randall Road received the city’s seal of approval.

At the Jan. 21 City Council meeting, council members approved a special use permit for Boston-based petitioner Rubino Ventures, LLC, to operate a recreational cannabis dispensary out of the former Arby’s restaurant at 144 S. Randall Road.

The site is located on the east side of Randall Road between Main and West Wilson Streets and has been vacant since 2018. It is set to become the fifth Dutchess Cannabis dispensary, adding to operating dispensaries in Oak Park and Morton Grove and two in development in Lake Zurich and North Riverside.

Attorney Tyler Manic and Vice President of Operations Alexis Bigi-Prow were at the meeting on behalf of the petitioner.

Bigi-Prow told council members that Dutchess Cannabis is owned and operated by women. She said with council approval, they plan to begin remodeling the site in February and aim to open by June 4.

Proposed hours of operation are 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Sundays.

A referendum question on the 2020 ballot showed strong support for cannabis retail business in Batavia, with 63% of voters choosing to allow dispensaries.

Mayor Jeffery Schielke said that while he was originally against the sale of cannabis in Batavia, after seeing the amount of voter support for a dispensary, he has become more open to the idea.

“It’s community knowledge that I was Mr. Negative to this idea when marijuana first showed up on the street,” Schielke said. “I’m not jumping with joy that it’s coming to Batavia, but in the same token, if we have to have one, I think this is about as good as you’re going to get.”

Batavia residents Lois Dahlstrom and Sylvia Keppel expressed their opposition to the dispensary before the vote.

“Although the sale of cannabis is legal in our state, it should not be sold in our community,” Dahlstrom said. “Long recognized as a gateway drug, the sale of marijuana is a step in the wrong direction.”

Dahlstrom claimed that allowing a dispensary to operate in Batavia would cause new problems for law enforcement with increasing drug-related crime and traffic accidents, and will tear families apart.

“You can have a pot shop. How about a brothel?” Keppel said sarcastically. “You could have more video-gaming machines. Batavia could be Illinois' Sin City. Woo-hoo, lots and lots of sales taxes.”

Keppel took issue with the dispensary’s location and proximity to schools and churches. She claimed cannabis use is more dangerous than gambling, as its use can lead to hard drug use, addiction, and puts the user’s and others' lives at risk, citing increased traffic incident statistics in states that have legalized marijuana.

“Batavia City Council, Mayor Schielke, blood will be on your hands if you vote yes to this pot shop and there is a fatal car crash due to driving high from weed bought in this dispensary,” Keppel said. “You will share responsibility.”

After hearing public comments, City Council members approved the special use permit in an 11-1 vote. Alderman Nicholas Cerone voted no, Alderman Dustin Pieper abstained and Alderman Abby Beck was absent.