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Council adopts zoning amendment (Ordinance No. 55) clarifying where cannabis retail may locate
Summary
The council approved Ordinance No. 55 (Third Series) amending Chapter 36 (zoning) to clarify lot coverage, parking, signage and where cannabis retail may be allowed; staff signaled the licensing ordinance will follow at a future meeting.
The Paynesville City Council approved Ordinance No. 55 (Third Series) amending Chapter 36 of the city zoning code to clarify definitions, lot coverage, parking requirements, signage and the zoning districts where cannabis retail would be allowed.
Staff told the council the item before them was the zoning portion only; licensing and business licensing for cannabis would be addressed at a subsequent meeting. The planning board held the required public hearing and no one attended; a single letter from Jeff Bertram was read at the public hearing and noted to be more relevant to licensing than zoning. The council reviewed highlighted changes in the draft ordinance and discussed potential impacts on downtown (C1) where members voiced concern about locating a cannabis retailer near programs that serve people in recovery.
Some councilors urged caution about placing cannabis retail in the downtown C1 district because of proximity to recovery services; others said the city must balance economic opportunity and not base zoning solely on one population group. Staff also noted that Stearns County has adopted a cannabis ordinance and that the council would watch county decisions as they finalize local rules.
After discussion, a motion to approve Ordinance No. 55 and the ordinance summary passed by voice vote with no recorded opposition.
Staff said the licensing framework and related ordinances (for permitting/licensing cannabis businesses) would be presented at the next meeting for council consideration.
