Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Cannabis Zoning topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Kasson council tables draft cannabis zoning ordinance for refined maps and buffer review
Summary
Planning staff presented a dense draft cannabis zoning ordinance covering permitted uses, buffers measured from schools/daycares/parks, operating hours and security; councilors asked for refined maps, clarity on RC downtown zoning and the effect of raising daycare buffers to 1,000 feet, then voted to table the ordinance pending more information.
Planning staff presented a draft cannabis zoning ordinance and an accompanying principal uses table that would specify where different cannabis and lower-potency hemp uses could operate within city zoning districts. Staff said many definitions come from state statute, operating-hour limits would range from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. depending on use, and regulations would cover ventilation, security and signage. A separate business regulation ordinance would handle local registration; state licensing remains required for retailers.
Councilors pressed staff on buffer distances from schools, daycares and parks. One councilor noted the draft map appeared to include the fairgrounds inside a school buffer; staff said the buffers were measured from school buildings and agreed to produce a refined map. Questions arose about whether RC (residential-commercial downtown) zoning should be allowed for cannabis uses; staff said downtown locations are restricted because of residential components and agreed to confirm whether an omission of RC in the uses table reflects state limits or a local choice.
Several councilors proposed increasing the daycare buffer from 500 to 1,000 feet to equal the school buffer. Staff and consultant parameters were cited: consultant Brad Shy had used distances based on metro-area practice and warned that larger buffers could eliminate nearly all viable downtown sites. Councilors requested maps showing what would be excluded by a 1,000-foot daycare buffer and the staff response to that scenario.
Councilors also asked about grandfathering and the interaction of local registration with state licensing. Staff said an existing cannabis or hemp retailer would not be forced to close if another use (for example, a daycare) later located within a buffer; local registration and zoning checks would be applied when a registration or application is filed.
The public hearing was opened and closed; staff said they received no written comments. Councilors moved to table the ordinance pending a refined map that clarifies the fairgrounds/school buffer, confirmation about RC zoning, and a map showing the effect of a 1,000-foot daycare buffer. The motion to table passed by voice vote.
