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Board and planning commission to revisit cannabis ordinance; sheriff input and ordinance map highlighted
Summary
Following adoption of a temporary ordinance, commissioners agreed to seek additional input—particularly from the sheriff92s office—before sending amendments to the Planning Commission; board members asked for mapping of permitted areas and flagged time-limit language and enforcement as follow-ups.
The Isanti County Board on Jan. 14 discussed next steps for a recently adopted ordinance governing commercial cannabis establishments and agreed to pursue additional amendments with input from the county sheriff and planning commission.
Chair and commissioners said the Planning Commission92s draft provided a temporary regulatory framework but that the board should consider revisions addressing public-safety concerns and outdoor-event permitting. Commissioner comments singled out the allowable hours and the distinction between retail storefronts and bars as items requiring clarification.
Nut graf: Commissioners asked staff to compile model ordinance language and examples from other counties, to have the sheriff or a designee attend the Planning Commission meeting, and to produce a map showing the limited geographic areas where county rules would permit commercial cannabis activity.
Planning commission members and staff said the draft ordinance was intentionally prepared to provide immediate coverage so that prospective applicants could not begin operations under no local rules. The board noted that under the current county map the permitted zones are limited and that two cities have retained registration authority for cannabis within city boundaries.
Several commissioners urged that the sheriff92s enforcement concerns be considered by the Planning Commission and that the board avoid lengthening public hearings unnecessarily by sending detailed proposed amendments to the Planning Commission in advance. Staff agreed to circulate other counties92 ordinance language for reference and to prepare a map of eligible areas.
Ending: The board and staff will coordinate with the Planning Commission, request sheriff input at an upcoming Planning Commission meeting and return suggested ordinance language and a map for further review.
