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Cottage Grove planning commission denies Venus Creations cannabis CUP and variance
Summary
The Cottage Grove Planning Commission voted 4-0 Dec. 15 to deny a conditional use permit and variance for Venus Creations LLC to operate an adult-use cannabis retail store at 7430 80th Street, citing city separation rules; the denial will go to City Council on Jan. 21, 2026.
The Cottage Grove Planning Commission unanimously denied a request to allow an adult-use cannabis retail store at 7430 80th Street, ruling the proposed location did not meet the city’s 1,000-foot separation requirements from other cannabis or low-potency hemp retailers.
Planner Sam Perrette told the commission that Venus Creations LLC had obtained preliminary licensure from the State Office of Cannabis Management but still required local zoning approvals. Perrette said the proposed storefront would be approximately 930 feet from the property line of an already-approved low-potency hemp edible retailer, Monsoon Tobacco, and that staff had prepared a recommendation of denial because the applicant sought a variance to that buffer.
“Preliminary licensure has been issued for this operation by the OCM,” Perrette said, “however, final licensure cannot be issued until the city makes a decision on zoning approvals.”
Applicant representative Matt Lyson, appearing for owner Rebecca Hidalgo, argued the proposal fit the mixed-use zoning and the city’s comprehensive plan, and emphasized security and compliance commitments required by state inspections. Lyson asked the commission to grant a variance to allow the operation inside an existing multi-tenant retail building.
Commissioners focused on the required separation distances. Commissioner Fisher asked staff for the precise measurement; Perrette said the proposed storefront was “approximately 930 feet as I mentioned to that property line.” Multiple commissioners said the buffer exists to protect public welfare and that the commission lacked experience to safely reduce it in this case.
Commissioner Steckman moved to deny the conditional use permit and the variance; Commissioner Fisher seconded. The motion to deny passed 4-0. The commission’s denial will be forwarded to the City Council agenda for Jan. 21, 2026.
Legal and next steps: Because the applicant holds only preliminary state licensure, no on-site sales can occur until the state issues a final license and the city issues any required registration. The commission’s action is a recommendation to the City Council, which will make the final local decision.
