The Brookfield Village Board has voted against a proposed cannabis dispensary at the corner of 31st Street and Park Avenue, resulting in a tie-breaking decision by Village President Michael Garvey. During a heated meeting on February 24, 2024, trustees voted 3-3 on the ordinance, with Garvey casting the deciding vote against the dispensary. This decision reflects the concerns of numerous residents who believe the dispensary would lead to increased traffic, crime, and negatively impact the family-friendly atmosphere of the residential neighborhood nearby.
The vacant property has remained unoccupied since 2019. In a similar situation, the village board rejected a petition in 2023 for a daycare at the same location, citing parking and traffic issues. Trustees Kit Ketchmark, Katie Kaluzny, and Nicole Gilhooley voted to deny the special use permit, while Jennifer Hendricks, Julie Narimatsu, and Kyle Whitehead opposed the denial. Garvey’s vote thus favored the concerns raised by local residents.
Before the vote, Ketchmark and Kaluzny expressed doubts about the applicants meeting the village’s standards for granting a special use permit. These standards require petitioners to demonstrate compatibility with the property’s zoning district and address any potential impacts on the community. Narimatsu argued that the dispensary would not adversely affect parking compared to other businesses in the area, stating, “I believe this proposal appears to meet the standards we’ve adopted.”
Hendricks countered the concerns, asserting that the dispensary would likely be “one of the safest properties in town.” She emphasized that the public parking lot across Park Avenue would adequately accommodate customers. “We did put that parking lot in across the street in part so that this property would be able to be developed,” she noted, reinforcing her belief that it would alleviate neighborhood parking concerns.
Whitehead suggested that the board consider adding more parking if community concerns persist. He highlighted that revenue should not be the sole focus, but acknowledged its importance. Brookfield could have earned a 5% sales tax from recreational cannabis sales at Prolific, with projected revenues of $79,600 in 2026, $190,000 in 2027, and $209,000 in 2028.
Prolific is the second dispensary to seek approval from the village board. In 2023, the board unanimously approved a special use permit for a dispensary at 8863 Ogden Ave, operated by the 1937 Group. Yet, construction at that site has stalled due to multiple code violations, prompting discussion among trustees about revoking its special use permit. Village Attorney Adam Durkin clarified that the revocation would clear the slate for new applicants, as the special use could only be fulfilled by the 1937 Group.
The board plans to revisit the issue surrounding the Ogden Avenue property at their meeting on March 9, 2024. As Brookfield navigates the complexities of cannabis regulation, community voices will continue to play a critical role in shaping future decisions.
