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Rushford Village planners start drafting alcohol ordinance; THC-infused drinks and gambling questions flagged for council counsel
Summary
The Planning and Zoning Commission agreed to begin drafting a local alcohol ordinance and discussed whether THC-infused beverages and gambling should be regulated locally; a motion to adopt Whalan's ordinance as a template failed for lack of a second and the issues will be referred to the City Council and counsel.
The Rushford Village Planning and Zoning Commission began work March 18 on a local alcohol ordinance after the City Council asked the commission to prepare recommendations so the city can again license and regulate alcohol sales.
Mayor Dennis Overland told commissioners that “CRV is not a dry city and should have something on the books regulating alcohol for when someone wants a license.” Planning and Zoning Administrator Jon Pettit said he would start with the Whalan ordinance as a model and proposed the commission tailor it to local needs.
Commissioners discussed structural questions including different license types (on-sale versus off-sale), annual renewals, and insurance requirements for license holders. Commissioner Glen Kopperud argued for a simple, flexible ordinance to put basic regulation in place first, while Commissioner Jesse McNamer asked whether THC-infused drinks should be covered under a local alcohol ordinance.
A motion by Commissioner Hamilton Petersen to recommend using Whalan’s ordinance as the starting point received no second and therefore did not pass. The commission recorded that questions about THC-infused products and whether gambling regulation falls to the city or the state will be brought to council counsel (O’Koren) and discussed at the Council meeting later that night.
The commission also noted practical enforcement questions: Fillmore County provides response to CRV calls but does not patrol regularly, and Rushford police do not respond to CRV calls. Overland said license requirements, including insurance, would limit CRV’s direct financial exposure from incidents originating at licensed premises.
The commission will return to the issue after counsel and the Council provide guidance on THC regulation and gambling authority. The Council had scheduled related hearings and business for the same evening.
