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Fergus Falls advances cannabis buffer ordinance, bars curbside sales and reopens registration window
Summary
Council completed a first reading of a cannabis buffer ordinance, rejected a proposed exemption for interim‑use extensions, directed staff to draft rules banning curbside pickup, drive‑thru and home delivery, and rescinded an immediate first‑come, first‑served registration for a timestamped applicant — instead setting an application window that closes Sept. 18 with committee review Oct. 1 and council decision Oct. 6.
The Fergus Falls City Council on Aug. 18 completed a first reading of a proposed ordinance increasing buffer distances for cannabis businesses and took multiple follow‑up steps on retail operations and applicant selection.
On the ordinance, council members debated language about whether expanded buffers should apply to interim‑use permits and whether existing interim uses could receive extensions exempt from the new distances. A motion to strike language that would have preserved buffers for extensions was defeated and the first reading passed as presented.
Separately, council members raised concerns about curbside pickup, drive‑thru and home delivery options for registered cannabis retailers. After discussion the council directed the city attorney and staff to draft an ordinance that would limit sales to within the business premises — prohibiting curbside pickup, drive‑thru windows and home delivery unless state law or later rules allow otherwise. The motion passed.
Council then addressed the question of how to accept registrations for available cannabis retail slots. The council had previously signaled a first‑come, first‑served approach but members raised fairness concerns about a process that opened suddenly and whether timestamps reflected “complete” applications. A motion to issue a registration immediately to the timestamped first applicant (VTDO/VTDO LLC) failed on roll call.
Council subsequently voted to return to a windowed application period and merit‑based selection policy: staff will accept and permit applicants to supplement filings through Sept. 18; the committee of the whole will review applications Oct. 1 and the council aims to act Oct. 6. Staff said applicants already submitted may supplement materials before the deadline. Several applicants and business owners spoke during the debate urging clarity on grading, blind scoring and conflict‑of‑interest safeguards.
City staff and the city attorney reiterated that the state Office of Cannabis Management and League of Minnesota Cities interpret the statute to require at least two registrations for cities at Fergus Falls’ size; staff recommended following that interpretation to reduce legal risk.
Council asked staff to return with proposed ordinance language on in‑building sales and to implement the reopened application window with a merit scoring process and committee review.
