Commissioners approve Adios LLC cannabis retail registration in La Crescent Township; state approvals and permits still required

The Houston County Board voted to approve a retail cannabis registration for Adios LLC for a site in La Crescent Township, subject to staff review and subsequent state approvals.

County staff told commissioners the application is for a cannabis retailer (retail sales only), which is a permitted use in the county's highway-business zoning district and therefore does not require the interim-use permit that a micro-business (which can include cultivation or manufacturing) would trigger. "This is our first retail registration, for a cannabis business," county staff said when presenting the item.

Staff reported the applicant, listed on the application as Jason Gildea, provided required documentation and appeared current on county taxes. Commissioners noted the retail registration does not remove other required approvals: the applicant still must obtain building permits for any tenant build-out, zoning compliance sign-off and state-level cannabis licensing before opening. County staff also said prior applications (for a micro business under a different name) had been withdrawn and this registration replaces that earlier filing.

During discussion, one commissioner expressed concern about the density of retail outlets in La Crescent and voted against the approval on public-health and safety grounds. A majority of commissioners voted to approve the registration; county staff will issue the registration and the applicant must secure state licensing and final inspections before operating.

No quantities of taxes or fees tied to the registration were approved at the meeting. Commissioners and staff discussed MnDOT and other permitting issues but made clear those state-level or agency-specific requirements remain in force and separate from the county's zoning determination.

Outcome: registration approved by the board; the application is for retail sales only. Further approvals (state license, building permits, inspections and any MnDOT requirements) are still required before the business may open its doors.