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Shorewood council opts to retain local registration authority for cannabis businesses
Summary
The council reached consensus May 27 to keep local registration authority for adult-use cannabis businesses rather than continue delegating it to the County, citing a desire to preserve the City’s originally adopted zoning standards and noting minimal ongoing staff costs.
At the May 27 work session, City Administrator Nevinski briefed the Shorewood City Council on differences between the City’s adopted cannabis zoning standards and a County ordinance that would apply if Shorewood continued delegating registration authority to the County.
Nevinski told the Council the County’s setbacks and buffers in its ordinance are roughly half the distances Shorewood had adopted; under the County’s standards, two additional properties in Shorewood would qualify to host a cannabis business. The County issues the state license but Shorewood must decide whether to keep local registration responsibilities or defer them to the County.
Planning Director Griffiths said the formal adoption process for any zoning change would follow normal code amendment procedures and noted the League of Minnesota Cities provides a model ordinance. City Clerk/HR Director Thone and Councilmembers discussed staff time and enforcement: Thone said initial registration and conditional-use permitting would require minimal staff hours and that State enforcement (Office of Cannabis Management) handles license enforcement, while local police would continue annual compliance checks similar to tobacco and liquor oversight.
Mayor Labadie said she would support rescinding delegation and issuing a 90-day notice to the County so the City could maintain the intent behind its original standards to keep businesses farther from the high school. Councilmember Maddy noted the local option would be slightly more expensive in staff time but allow Shorewood to retain control over placement. The Council recorded a consensus to retain local authority for cannabis business registration.
Staff did not record a formal ordinance change at the work session; next steps are for staff to proceed with administrative preparations if the Council desires formal action to rescind delegation and to follow the normal code amendment and public-notice process if a zoning change is later considered.
