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Neighbors and operator clash over lighting, compliance at new Pine County cannabis site
Summary
Public commenters and the county discussed complaints about bright grow lights and permit disclosures at a recently licensed cannabis operation; the operator said inspectors praised the facility and that the business has invested over $1 million locally, while neighbors urged light and odor mitigation and questioned permit wattage totals.
Joe Zappa, who identified himself as representing IRBA, told the Pine County Board on Feb. 10 that his cannabis operation has "invested over 1000000 dollars in the community," employed more than 10 local people and used local contractors. He said state compliance staff invited other inspectors to view the site and praised its security and operations.
"We intend to meet that, if not exceed your expectations as we continue forward," Zappa said, noting he had reached out to the sheriff and invited a tour. He disputed press coverage he said had framed the business as a failure rather than a successful landing.
Neighbor Denise Weis Graston told the board she and other residents have repeatedly complained about lights and that the county findings downplayed earlier complaints. She cited application paperwork she said IRBA submitted to the state indicating greenhouse No. 4 either has or will have a substantially larger lighting array — totaling, she said, roughly 230,000 watts in that single greenhouse — and warned that would create significant light pollution.
"This is a huge, huge increase on lights and light pollution," Graston said, urging the board to require light-mitigation and odor-control measures. Board staff and supervisors acknowledged receipt of complaints, said they had copied relevant parties on findings letters and discussed further follow-up with township officials. Staff also said an OCM inspector had visited the site more than once and that licensing was granted in October.
