Hanover planning panel recommends stricter cannabis zoning after 3-2 vote

The Hanover Planning Commission voted 3-2 on Oct. 28 to recommend that the City Council adopt zoning amendments aimed at tightly limiting cannabis-related uses in the city.

City Planner Cindy Nash presented a draft ordinance and staff buffer‑zone maps showing daycare centers, schools, home‑school locations and religious organizations. Nash said the ordinance must account for how future retail registrations will be managed — whether the city retains authority or delegates it to Hennepin and Wright counties — and recommended commissioners provide a clear zoning buffer direction for the Council to consider.

Mayor Chris Kauffman, who requested permission to participate during the Citizen’s Forum, questioned how the ordinance would distinguish low‑potency cannabis from retail products and urged that both be treated equally for zoning. Commissioner John Ganfield asked for clarification about the Planning Commission’s role in making a recommendation on the draft ordinance.

Chair Stan Kolasa moved that the Commission recommend adoption of the amendments “subject to being as restrictive as possible.” The motion, seconded by Commissioner Jim Schendel, carried with Kolasa, Schendel and Chad Olson voting in favor and Commissioners Gretchen Barrett and John Ganfield opposed.

The Commission’s recommendation now goes to the City Council for review. Nash told commissioners that the Council will need to resolve questions about who issues retail registrations and how buffer distances will be applied to specific sites in the city.