Forest Lake council approves five-year interim use permit for Smoky Oaks cannabis store

The Forest Lake City Council approved a five-year interim use permit allowing Smoky Oaks LLC to operate a retail adult-use cannabis retail store at 115 Lake Street North.

Abby, a member of city staff, told the council the application generally conforms to the city’s standards for retail cannabis interim use permits but noted the building’s proposed signage would require additional administrative approval because the city does not permit roof or faux-parapet signage. "Included in your packet tonight is a resolution 09222501. It has 14 conditions that would authorize a retail cannabis IUP for Smoky Oaks at 115 Lake Street North with 14 conditions for 5 years," Abby said.

The city uses interim use permits when it wants to allow a use on a time-limited basis so the council can reassess standards if regulations change. Staff said the Planning Commission held a public hearing on the application and recommended approval.

A council member moved to adopt Resolution 09222501 and a second was recorded; council members approved the resolution by voice vote. The record does not include individual roll-call tallies.

The council discussion focused on land-use conformity and signage; staff emphasized that approval of the IUP does not automatically grant any signage variances, which require separate administrative review. The IUP was approved with the 14 conditions described in staff materials and will remain in effect for the five-year period specified in the resolution.

The council reconvened to other business after the vote; staff and the applicant will proceed with the administrative signage review and final compliance steps required by the resolution.