Cannon Falls adopts cannabis zoning ordinance; council elects mayor pro tem and approves annual appointments

The Cannon Falls City Council on Jan. 7 adopted Ordinance 408, a zoning amendment that sets where cannabis-related businesses may locate in city limits, and completed routine reorganizational business including electing Laura Cronenberger as mayor pro tem and approving annual appointments.

The ordinance, presented for a second reading, was moved for approval and passed after a short council discussion about how local rules would interact with county licensing. Council Member Chad Johnson asked, "Just kind of wondering why we need the ordinance and how it's different from the alcohol and business licensing that we already have to go through," seeking clarification on the city's role. A City staff member responded that Goodhue County will administer retail and wholesale licensing but "they do not regulate the zoning side," and that the ordinance draws on League of Minnesota Cities model language to set local zoning rules and sign restrictions.

The zoning change is intended to regulate where retail and manufacturing operations related to cannabis may be sited within Cannon Falls; staff said existing hemp operations in the industrial area would not be inhibited and that the ordinance overlays zoning rules rather than eliminating currently permitted uses. Council discussion included a question about signage restrictions; staff did not provide a detailed rule-by-rule answer during the hearing, and the council did not request further changes before voting.

In reorganizational actions, the council elected Laura Cronenberger mayor pro tem to serve as acting mayor when the mayor is absent. The council also approved the 2025 annual appointments with one amendment: the Hiawatha Land Transit Advisory Committee appointment was changed from Ryan and Diane (who served previously) to Lisa and Chad for 2025, as noted by council. The consent agenda — which the council approved in a single motion after pulling Ordinance 408 for separate consideration — included approval of claims for accounting periods ending Dec. 31, 2024 and Jan. 3, 2025; meeting minutes for Dec. 17, 2024; designation of the official newspaper for 2025; Resolution 2796 designating depositories for city funds for fiscal year 2025; approval of statutory tort limits; and Resolution 2798 accepting a $67,000 donation from the Cannon Falls Fire Department Relief Association.

Council members and staff emphasized that Goodhue County handles licensing for cannabis businesses while the city controls land use through zoning. The council noted the ordinance had come from the planning commission and was approved there unanimously before being placed on the consent agenda and later moved to council business for discussion. No amendments to Ordinance 408 were proposed at the council meeting prior to its adoption.

The meeting also included routine reports: the police chief reminded residents to move vehicles off streets during snow events to allow plowing, and city staff discussed training opportunities and an upcoming council retreat.

Votes at a glance

- Motion to approve tonight's agenda — mover: Diane Johnson; second: Laura Cronenberger; outcome: approved.

- Motion to approve consent agenda (with Ordinance 408 pulled to council business) — mover: Christopher Stoecker; second: Diane Johnson; outcome: approved. Consent items included Resolution 2796 (depositories), Resolution 2798 (accept $67,000 donation), designation of official newspaper for 2025, statutory tort limits, and claims for the stated accounting periods.

- Election of mayor pro tem (Laura Cronenberger) — mover: Diane Johnson; second: (Ryan — first name provided in meeting); outcome: approved.

- Approval of 2025 annual appointments (with Hiawatha Land Transit Advisory Committee amended to Lisa and Chad) — mover: Jepsen; second: Novak; outcome: approved.

- Second reading and adoption of Ordinance 408 (amending Cannon Falls City Code regarding zoning related to cannabis business) — mover: Diane Johnson; second: Chad Johnson; outcome: adopted.

The council did not specify vote tallies by name during the meeting; actions were approved by voice vote and announced as carrying.