Lindstrom planning commission advances draft cannabis zoning; public hearing set for November

The Lindstrom Planning Commission reviewed draft zoning regulations intended to govern cannabis and lower-potency hemp businesses and voted to send the draft to the city council with a public hearing scheduled for November.

Beth, the staff presenter, summarized the state context and local timeline, saying the city is currently under a moratorium for cannabis uses and that staff wants the citys zoning standards in place before the state Office of Cannabis Management begins issuing licenses: "So the city is currently under a moratorium for these uses," Beth said. She told commissioners the moratorium runs out at the end of the year and OCM licensing is anticipated to begin in early 2025.

Staff proposed new definitions (cannabis cultivation, manufacturing and retail; and lower-potency hemp manufacturing and retail) and a set of zoning assignments: cultivation in Agriculture/Open Space, manufacturing in I-1 industrial, and retail in CBD and B-1 commercial districts clustered near Highway 8. Beth described the proposed cap option: "The most, conservative cap you can do is 1 business per 12,500 residents, which for Lindstrom would mean that there would be at least 1 cannabis retail license that's available." The staff draft also proposes buffers from sensitive uses and city hours of operation, and staff said the draft will be updated based on commission feedback before the council takes it up.

The commission agreed to forward the draft as an update to council, where additional changes may be made; commissioners and staff said they expect a public hearing in November and potential final adoption before the end of the year.