Council hears public concern and asks staff to study dispensary siting; no ordinance adopted

The Mineral Wells City Council opened a public hearing on amending the city zoning code to add a definition for “medical cannabis dispensary” and to list the use in selected zoning districts, but took no ordinance action and asked staff to return with zoning options focused on medical/healthcare areas.

Why it matters: State law, as staff noted during the hearing, prevents municipalities from outright denying medical cannabis facilities but permits local regulation of where they can operate. The council’s direction to prioritize locations near the hospital could shape where dispensaries locate within Mineral Wells and how the city regulates external signs, hours, security and proximity to sensitive uses.

What was proposed and who spoke

Planning and Zoning recommended that the use be listed in commercial, light‑industrial and Walters Park A districts. A resident who identified personal concerns about marijuana’s community effects spoke during public comment and said while supportive of access for veterans and medical needs, the speaker urged the council to “carefully consider what you allow and the enforcement of that regulation” to avoid community harms. (Public comment recorded during the hearing.)

Staff and council discussion

City staff explained there was no ordinance before the council for final action at this meeting and that council’s direction would guide staff drafting ordinance language and map amendments. Staff advised that state law will not allow a municipality to deny a medical cannabis dispensary outright, but municipalities retain zoning authority to regulate locations. City counsel clarified that a special‑use permit would not be required by state law but could be an extra step — although staff framed that as an additional local control step and not a measure that would permit denial. Planning & Zoning’s unanimous recommendation to list commercial, light industrial and Walters Park A was presented, but several council members said they preferred staff to explore siting options closer to the hospital/medical area rather than placing dispensaries on main commercial corridors or on the base, which some members said could conflict with long‑term development plans.

Council direction and follow up

Council members asked staff to:

- Research whether zoning or rezoning could place dispensaries in a medical district or the area around the hospital and report back with proposed ordinance language and map changes; - Coordinate with the hospital’s board or hospital leadership before making zoning changes that would directly affect hospital property or operations; and - Confirm timing and any state deadlines (staff said there was no known state deadline and council could take additional time to study local options).

No ordinance was adopted at the hearing; staff will return with draft regulations and recommended zoning districts based on council guidance.

Sources and provenance

This article summarizes public comment, staff presentation and council discussion recorded in the Mineral Wells City Council transcript for Item 22 (medical cannabis dispensary zoning discussion) at the October 2025 meeting.

Ending

The council’s request to focus exploration of dispensary siting near medical facilities indicates a preference for regulating location to align medical cannabis with healthcare services, but the city has not yet adopted a code change. Staff will return with draft ordinance language and mapping recommendations for future consideration.