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Planning commission recommends cannabis zoning changes, scales playground buffer to 300 feet
Summary
The Lindstrom Planning Commission voted 3–2 to recommend code changes governing cannabis and lower-potency hemp uses, including a 300-foot buffer from playgrounds/athletic fields, permitted retail in B1 and I1 districts, and retail hours set at 10 a.m.–9 p.m.; staff recommended the changes to the City Council.
The Lindstrom Planning Commission recommended that the City Council approve zoning amendments to regulate adult-use cannabis and lower-potency hemp products starting in 2025. Staff outlined that cultivation would be allowed in the Agriculture/Open Space (AO) district, manufacturing in the Industrial (I1) district, and cannabis retail permitted with standards in the Business (B1) and I1 districts; the Central Business District was excluded from cannabis retail for now.
During public comment, Anita Lewis said she was surprised by the proposed 300-foot buffer for playgrounds. "I'm just kinda surprised it's been to 300 feet where a lot of kids play in these parks," Lewis said. Staff responded that a 500-foot playground buffer would have eliminated many viable storefronts along the south side of Highway 8 and that the commission reduced the playground/athletic-field buffer to 300 feet to balance protection for minors with available retail locations. As staff explained, the decision aimed to "provide some protection, but, you know, provide an opportunity" for lawful local businesses.
The commission also discussed county-level administration of registrations. Staff reported the county was considering a countywide registration approach that could limit registered facilities to five for the entire county; commissioners said that arrangement would make it unlikely Lindstrom would host a facility even if local zoning allows it. Staff and commissioners noted the state sets some limits and that local rules must be reasonable to avoid legal challenges; retail hours proposed follow state protections and were set at 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
A motion to adopt staff's recommended actions for the cannabis and hemp provisions was moved and approved by a 3–2 vote, and the commission will forward the recommendation to the City Council for final action. The motion applied to the set of recommended use-table changes, buffer distances, operating-hour limits for cannabis retail, and new definitions to be added to the city zoning code.
