Commission backs Polley family’s indoor cannabis microbusiness in Wakefield Township with conditions

The Stearns County Planning Commission on July 24 voted to recommend approval of an interim use permit for an indoor cannabis microbusiness proposed by Scott and Karen Polley in Wakefield Township, subject to conditions including state licensing, odor-control systems and limits on transportation hours.

The Polleys sought an interim use permit under Stearns County Land Use and Zoning Ordinance No. 439 (sections 4.18, 6.13 and 9.306.b) to construct and operate an indoor cannabis microbusiness at 13381 County Road 140. The application covers a proposed phase‑1 building (45 by 75 feet, about 3,375 square feet) that would include grow rooms, a post-harvest room, storage and offices. The applicants said phase 1 would encompass roughly 1,200 square feet of plant canopy; state rules for microbusiness cultivation (the applicants referenced Minnesota Rules Chapter 98.1 and state licensing requirements) govern canopy limits and operational standards.

Staff noted the site is partly within shoreland and contains native-plant communities and wetlands elsewhere on the parcel; staff required an on-site wetland determination before any ground-disturbing activity or construction permit is issued. Wakefield Township staff said the township had reviewed the request and offered no additional conditions beyond ordinance and statutory provisions.

The commission’s recommended conditions, as modified at the hearing, include:

- Interim use permit term concluding Dec. 31, 2045 (20 years) or earlier if the state license is revoked or if the use is discontinued for 12 consecutive months; - Limit transportation, deliveries and pickups to 8 a.m.–5 p.m.; other facility functions (lighting, HVAC, staff access to support plant care) may operate outside those hours as needed for continuous growing operations; - Obtain and maintain the state license (Minnesota Rules Chapter 98.1 and related statutes cited in county conditions), comply with MPCA wastewater guidance and obtain a Certificate of Occupancy from Wakefield Township prior to occupancy; - Enhanced ventilation and odor control, including activated-carbon filtration on exhaust outlets located at least 10 feet from property lines or an engineering report demonstrating an alternative system provides equal or better odor control; - Wetland determination under the Wetland Conservation Act prior to permit issuance; and - No retail sales or consumption on site under the proposed permit (the applicants stated they were not proposing on-site retail at this stage).

Several neighbors testified in opposition, citing concerns about odor, light, security and water use. One nearby resident who said he had visited an existing indoor grow noted a detectable odor in that facility despite filtration equipment; applicants and staff responded that modern, sealed indoor grow rooms with industrial ventilation and carbon filtration are designed to minimize detectable odor off-site and that licensed transporters will handle product transfers. The applicants said they plan modest, phase‑1 operations to learn the business, to install three‑phase electrical service with Stearns Electric and to use secured, small‑scale transport arrangements rather than public retail pickups.

Commissioners discussed whether the project fits the county comprehensive plan and rural-business goals, and whether the site is compatible with nearby residential parcels. After debate, the commission voted 3–1 in favor of recommending the permit with the conditions described above. The commission’s recommendation will be forwarded to the Stearns County Board on Aug. 12. If the county board approves, the state licensing process remains a separate requirement; state approvals (and any MPCA reviews for wastewater) must be obtained before full operation.