Planning Commission recommends five-year interim permit for Smoky Oaks dispensary at 115 Lake Street North

Forest Lake City planning staff and residents heard public comment and technical review Wednesday before the Planning Commission voted to recommend that the City Council grant Smoky Oaks LLC an interim use permit to operate a retail cannabis shop at 115 Lake Street North for five years.

The staff presentation said the downtown mixed-use zoning permits retail cannabis if state-mandated buffer distances to other cannabis businesses are met and if the city issues an IUP. Abby, city planning staff, told the commission that "staff's recommendation tonight is that you recommend to the City Council the approval of draft resolution 09-22-25-01 which would grant an IUP to Smoky Oaks LLC for a retail cannabis at 115 Lake Street North for a period of 5 years." The recommendation includes 14 conditions detailed in the staff report.

The nut graf: The Planning Commission's recommendation asks the City Council to balance state licensing requirements, local land‑use rules and downtown pedestrian character. If the council approves the IUP, Smoky Oaks would proceed…