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MINUTES <br />PLANNING COMMISSION <br />AUGUST 8, 2024 <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />6 <br />Chair Johnson asked if there would be any concern about not allowing fair competition if only <br />one sales business is allowed. The City Clerk replied that the business will not be the only <br />business out there as corporations outside of Minnesota are just waiting to come in, along with <br />those wanting to open small businesses. She stated that there will be mechanisms to check <br />compliance and revoke a license, similar to tobacco. She stated that if the business does not have <br />competitive pricing, people will go to a store in another community. <br /> <br />Chair Johnson stated that perhaps allowing two sales businesses would create competition <br />between the businesses. She stated that there should be consistency between the regulations for <br />cannabis businesses and alcohol sales. It was noted that tobacco sales regulation buffers are not <br />the same as alcohol. <br /> <br />The City Clerk asked if the Commission would be open to allowing a cannabis business in the <br />commercial district or whether that should be restricted to industrial. She stated that Vadnais <br />Heights allows sales of THC/CBD in commercial, and all other cannabis activity would need to <br />be in commercial. <br /> <br />Chair Johnson asked if there would be odor mitigation required relating to grow facilities. The <br />City Clerk confirmed that the State would have regulations for that type of activity. <br /> <br />Chair Johnson confirmed the consensus of the Commission that retail activity could occur in <br />commercial while both commercial and manufacturing could occur in industrial. <br /> <br />Commissioner Thorson commented that he would agree with following the model ordinance <br />selected by Vadnais Heights. Commissioner Masrud stated that the idea of allowing two sales <br />businesses is interesting, recognizing that if there is a limitation of one business, residents could <br />go to a neighboring community. He stated that perhaps allowing a second license would make <br />sense. Commissioner Thorson commented that it would seem reasonable to have a cap, but that <br />the cap is larger than one business. Commissioner Haluptzok stated that she would imagine that <br />license applications would flood in and asked how that would be prioritized as to who is <br />selected. The City Clerk replied that they have not yet discussed that process. <br /> <br />Chair Johnson stated that it would be nice to see Minnesota businesses given priority. The <br />Community Relations Manager reviewed guidelines for hours of operation. The Commission <br />agreed that the hours for a cannabis sales business should mirror the allowances for alcohol sales. <br /> <br />The City Administrator stated that he believes that this will come back before the Planning <br />Commission before the Council takes action as this would be a zoning change and will follow <br />the typical zoning process. He stated that Little Canada has unique visibility and some of the <br />industrial districts will be very attractive for this type of business. He stated that if the buffers <br />are enacted that would limit most of the commercial corridors, which may be smart as the focus <br />for those corridors is more mixed use. He noted one area within the commercial corridor which <br />would not be covered by buffer, but perhaps is also not the location they would like to see this <br />type of business. He stated that perhaps it would make sense to limit these businesses to <br />industrial districts. He noted that some communities will be pursuing municipal dispensaries.