Elgin commission signs off on zoning for recreational cannabis dispensary at Clock Tower Plaza

A company approved last year to open Elgin’s first recreational cannabis dispensary only to have its plan end in a lease dispute has returned with a new proposal to set up shop at the Clock Tower Plaza strip mall.

High Haven LLC, a minority- and woman-owned enterprise, presented its new plans to — and won the recommendation of — the Elgin Planning and Zoning Commission Monday, nine months after receiving Elgin City Council approval to open in a storefront on Randall Road.

When the owners weren’t “able to come to terms to finalize the lease agreement … they had to find a new location,” Senior Planner Damir Latinovic said at the commission meeting.

High Haven has a signed a lease for a 2,627-square-foot space at National Street and South Grove Avenue in the strip mall anchored by a Butera Market grocery store and owned by Paul and Carol Butera.

Clock Tower Plaza, site of the former Elgin National Watch Co., also includes a Dunkin’, Subway, Family Dollar, Rent-A-Center and several other businesses.

“We’re excited to be able to find another location to propose to the city of Elgin,” said Mahjabeen Sulemanjee Bortocek, High Haven founder and CEO. “It’s our intention to make sure we can quickly get this dispensary up and operational.”

Commission Chairman Jay Cox note that the petition submitted for the business is identical to the one previously approved other than for the location.

The lease is contingent on the city granting a rezoning request authorizing a special use for a cannabis dispensary, Latinovic said.

Extensive interior renovations will be made, and the space will include a reception area, office, security vault and delivery area at the rear of the building, he said.

High Haven plans to hire 10 employees and will have two security guards present at all times the dispensary is open. Elgin police signed off on the security plan, Latinovic said.

Sulemanjee Bortocek said under state regulations, security must be provided by a third-party vendor, which is bonded and meets state requirements. The site will have an extensive surveillance camera system producing images that will be reviewed by the company and the Illinois State Police on a regular basis, she said.

The Clock Tower Plaza space has plenty of parking, which had been a concern for the Randall Road location, she said.

When High Haven first approached the Planning and Zoning Commission last spring, neighboring business owners objected to the idea because they feared there was insufficient parking and didn’t like the dispensary’s proximity to businesses catering to families.

This time around, no objections were made.

High Haven, based in Glenview, has five social equity cannabis licenses from the state, including two for stores the Chicago metro area. It also has dispensaries in Darien and Michigan.

Commission member Steven Migala recused himself from the presentation and the vote. The rezoning and special use request now heads to the Elgin council for final approval.

Gloria Casas is a freelance reporter for The Courier-News.