The McKinley Park News was approached by Justice Cannabis to advocate for its proposed new location for a cannabis dispensary at West 35th Street and South Ashland Avenue. After research and careful consideration, we've decided to voice our support with Chicago's Zoning Board of Appeals for this development proposal.
Our letter of support, below, outlines the background and information we considered, as well as our reasons for deciding to support this proposal.
Do you have feedback, agree or disagree? Share your comments below (or if you want to go deep, reach out about writing an Op/Ed).
Cheers!
— Justin Kerr
Publisher, McKinley Park News
April 14, 2023
The Honorable Brian H. Sanchez, Chairman
Zoning Board of Appeals
121 North LaSalle Street, Room 905
Chicago, IL 60602
zba@cityofchicago.org
| Re: | Letter of Support for Application for Special Use Approval Submitted by JG IL LLC to Establish Adult Use Cannabis Dispensary at 3455-59 South Ashland Avenue |
Dear Chairman Sanchez,
I’m writing as a McKinley Park neighborhood resident, property owner and business owner to advocate that the Zoning Board of Appeals approve the special use application for JG IL LLC (Justice Cannabis) to build and run an adult-use cannabis dispensary at 3455-59 S. Ashland Ave., Chicago.
As the publisher of the McKinley Park News, which has covered neighborhood news and events since 2016, I attended and reported on the community meeting to present the proposed dispensary to the neighborhood. I’ve also had opportunity to conduct background research on the business and engage directly with Justice Vice President Mitch Zaveduk and other representatives about the proposed dispensary.
Throughout the process of engaging with the dispensary proposal and business, I saw nothing to dissuade the appeal and amenity of locating a well-run cannabis dispensary in our neighborhood. Justice Cannabis has been extremely forthcoming about providing information to myself and the McKinley Park News, as well as to other neighborhood institutions, about its operations, intentions and place in the community.
The company has a strong and growing multi-state track record in the cannabis industry, and it is locally owned and operated. Its socially responsible operations are demonstrated by the award of a social equity cannabis license based on the diversity of its workforce, as well as its pro-worker environment, including local workforce development, strong wages, career development opportunities and implicit support for unionization.
I think the property and location of the proposed cannabis dispensary fit in well with the neighborhood and surrounding area. It sits at a high-capacity intersection of two primary routes through the Southwest Side, located on commercially zoned land nowhere close to community institutions or schools, and on the east side of the wide Ashland Avenue, well-distanced from most neighborhood residences and public-facing businesses. Its large parking lot and location on major public transit lines should offer easy and low-impact ways for customers to travel there.
In our current regime of legal adult use of cannabis, I’ve been following the science and statistics of the impact that legal cannabis has on a community, including qualified studies such as those also shared in Justice Cannabis’ submitted Findings of Fact. These show decreased crime, higher property values, lessening addicts’ dependence on hard drugs and no increase in teen cannabis use when a cannabis dispensary is sited in a community.
I’m also encouraged about the economic development benefits of having a well-designed and thriving business at this major intersection in our neighborhood, versus a derelict, blighted property that has been vacant and decomposing for years seemingly without any other development interest. Local elected officials, community groups and the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning’s McKinley Park Neighborhood Plan have identified the potential of the 35th Street corridor for retail and amenity growth, and a cannabis dispensary could be a great anchor to inspire further development.
Thank you for your attention and consideration, as well as for your service on the zoning board. I encourage you to approve the special use permit for Justice Cannabis. Do reach out if you have any questions or feedback.
Sincerely,
Justin Kerr
Publisher, McKinley Park News (https://mckinleypark.news)
justinkerr@mckinleypark.news
(312) 560-1115
P.O. Box 9136
Chicago, IL 60609
Related Media:
“Residents, Stakeholders Query Cannabis Dispensary Reps at Community Meeting” - February 7, 2023
https://mckinleypark.news/news/3795-residents-stakeholders-query-cannabis-dispensary-reps-at-community-meeting
McKinley Park Neighborhood Plan
https://mckinleypark.news/neighborhood/publications/mckinley-park-neighborhood-plan
McKinley Park Neighborhood Plan - Goal: Revitalize Commercial Corridors - Recommendation 3: Develop a
“Main Street” Experience along 35th Street
https://mckinleypark.news/neighborhood/publications/mckinley-park-neighborhood-plan/1334-goal-revitalize-commercial-corridors?start=5
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