Blaine council adopts tree-abatement ordinance, advances cannabis zoning and approves 28-foot light permit

The Blaine City Council adopted an amendment to the city code governing nuisance-tree abatement, waived the first reading and approved the ordinance at the June 16 meeting. The council also approved a conditional-use permit allowing up to 28-foot-tall pole-mounted lighting at Lexington Preserve Business Park 5, and took first readings on multiple ordinance amendments including changes to cannabis zoning and a technical stormwater code revision.

Public Works Director Nick said the tree-abatement ordinance change “will speed up the abatement process and bring this ordinance into alignment with our other abatement procedures.” Council waived the first reading and adopted the ordinance; the motion to adopt was moved by Council Member Newland and seconded by Council Member Fleming and carried by voice vote.

The council opened and closed a public hearing on a conditional-use permit request for Lexington Preserve Business Park 5 and then approved the permit. The assistant community development director described the request: the applicant…