EAST PEORIA, Ill. — East Peoria got one step closer Tuesday night to getting its second adult-use cannabis dispensary.
City council voted 4-1 to approve a first reading ordinance that would allow Sorce Enterprises the store at 300 S. Main St., across the road from Kroger.
Council in August had unanimously rejected the company’s petition to place a store at 1501 N. Main St., citing issues like parking and the fact the property is within 1,000 feet of a daycare, which city code prohibits.
“I’m very pleased with the city council’s support of my different cannabis applications,” said Roy Sorce, Sorce Enterprises. “I’ve worked with them on several applications, and at this point they helped me locate one that fit their needs and mine at the same time.
“It’s near the downtown area, which makes it very accessible and very easy for what we desire to do.”
Sorce said the company would have one year to build the location upon council approval and state licensure.
“Mr. Sorce has been very patient,” said Mayor John Kahl.
“I do know when the city put out the notice, there was no one in opposition of this proposed location.”
While the public may not have come forward in opposition, Commissioner Michael Sutherland did, as the sole dissenting vote.
He cited “personal reasons with family members and friends.
“I don’t think it should be legalized” for recreational use, he said, adding he believes there could be a medical use for it.
The next council meeting is scheduled for Tues., Oct. 20, when the ordinance will likely see its second reading. A second reading approval, Sorce could go forward with the project once he gets his license from the state.
NuMed operates the city’s only pot store to date.
