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Council approves ordinance and interim use permit amendment for accessory cannabis greenhouse with conditions
Summary
Council approved a zoning text amendment allowing accessory greenhouses for cannabis microbusinesses in Town Center and other commercial districts, granted an interim use permit with conditions (indoor growth, no outdoor storage, three‑year IUP) and approved a variance for a 10‑ft security fence; council removed a requirement to tear down the greenhouse if cannabis operations cease.
The Brainerd City Council on Oct. 20 approved ordinance 1592 to allow an accessory greenhouse for a cannabis microbusiness in the Town Center zoning district and approved associated land‑use actions for a proposed microbusiness at an existing accessory greenhouse.
Community Development Director James Cranvic briefed council on the application by Steve Zalinsky. The proposed text amendment would permit accessory greenhouses for cannabis microbusinesses (with retail endorsements allowed in Town Center) and would not allow microbusiness uses in residential districts. The applicant also sought an amendment to an interim use permit (IUP) and a variance to permit a 10‑foot fence required by the Office of Cannabis Management for security.
Planning staff presented recommended conditions for the IUP: no outdoor storage; indoor storage limited to materials incidental to greenhouse operation; cannabis products must be grown indoors; the IUP amendment was proposed for three years. Council conducted the final reading of the ordinance and approved it, then considered the IUP and the variance.
Several council members discussed odor concerns and enforcement. Planning staff said council could add a condition that odors not be detectable by a person with a normal sense of smell at the property line, but acknowledged practical enforcement challenges. Council amended the IUP motion to remove a proposed condition that the greenhouse be removed if operations cease (so the structure could revert to other greenhouse uses). The variance to allow a 10‑ft chain‑link fence for security was approved. Motions passed by roll call votes.
Council directed staff that the IUP remains subject to conditions and monitoring, and noted that the council may revoke or modify an IUP if operations create nuisance impacts.
