A proposed cannabis dispensary near a daycare center in Bartlett has been denied village approval following a tie vote among local trustees. The vote, which resulted in a 3-3 deadlock, fell short of the four votes needed for approval due to a negative recommendation from the planning and zoning commission.
Residents voiced strong opposition during the meeting, with 16 individuals expressing concerns about the dispensary’s location less than 250 feet from the Brewster Creek KinderCare. Applause erupted in the room as community members celebrated the outcome.
Donielle Burton, a nearby resident, expressed relief, stating, “I couldn’t believe we did it!”
Village President Dan Gunsteen did not cast a tiebreaking vote, as the commission’s recommendation required a supermajority for the proposal to succeed. Supporters of the dispensary included trustees Stephanie Gandsey, Raymond Deyne, and John Battermann, who argued for the economic benefits it could bring to the community, including potential tax revenue and easier access for medical cannabis users.
Gandsey countered accusations that the board prioritized profit over safety, asserting that there were no safety concerns with the legal business. “I am disappointed,” she said after the vote, emphasizing the importance of the potential revenue for local tax relief.
Conversely, the three dissenting trustees—Renee Suwanski, Joe LaPorte, and Adam Hopkins—prioritized the concerns raised by neighbors regarding safety and proximity to the daycare. LaPorte remarked, “It wasn’t meant to be,” while Hopkins suggested that alternative locations, such as the Lake Street redevelopment area, might be more suitable for a dispensary in the future.
The rejected dispensary plans have implications for a proposed bakery adjacent to the dispensary, which is also unlikely to move forward. The outcome reflects ongoing tensions in Bartlett about cannabis regulatory policies and community safety priorities.
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