St. Stephen adopts ordinance letting Stearns County regulate cannabis, sends zoning amendment to public hearing

The St. Stephen City Council voted July 2 to adopt Ordinance 53, allowing Stearns County to regulate cannabis activities in the city. Gene Skaj moved the adoption, seconded by Steve Trobec; the motion carried with all members present voting in favor.

Council discussed setback distances during the meeting. Councilmember Danita Traut suggested a 1,000-foot setback from schools and a 500-foot setback from daycares, and City Attorney Sue Dege said enforcement details and fee structures are addressed in the county ordinance. Council also moved a proposed amendment to Ordinance 41 (zoning for cannabis businesses) to public hearing; Steve Trobec moved the amendment to a public hearing, seconded by Thomas Vouk. Sue Dege said she would correct the zoning classification language to reference heavy industrial where appropriate prior to the public hearing.

The motions recorded in the minutes: adopt Ordinance 53 to permit county regulation of cannabis, and move an amendment to Ordinance 41 to public hearing at the August City Council meeting. The minutes state the council voted unanimously on both motions. Specific license fees, notification procedures, and the county's role were noted as governed by Stearns County's ordinance; the minutes record that the city attorney will follow up on whether the city can receive notification of sales or licensing actions.