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Wayzata Planning Commission - Nov. 4, 2024

Wayzata City CouncilTuesday, November 5, 2024
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Wayzata approves cannabis retail zoning framework unanimously

Wayzata Planning Commission Advances Cannabis Business Zoning Amendments

Full Document Analysis

Votes (1)

Zoning Text Amendments for Cannabis Business Regulations

6-0 Approved

Dissent: None

Moved by Commissioner Elg [1:41:39] · Seconded by Commissioner Schwabie [1:41:45]

Planner Weber outlined the proposed zoning text amendments, recommending C2, C3, and C3A districts for non-municipal cannabis retail, and prohibiting cultivation, wholesale, transportation, and delivery as primary businesses, while allowing manufacturing as a conditional use. He clarified the application of maximum state buffers and their measurement from building footprints for sensitive uses like 'The Retreat.' Public comment questioned buffers between municipal and non-municipal dispensaries. Commission discussion revolved around the city's legal obligation to allow at least one retailer, concerns about the proximity of retail to 'The Retreat,' and the potential for landlord control if zoning options were too limited. The City Attorney clarified the difference between changes to the zoning ordinance and business regulations (including buffers) and the potential legal challenges if the city's regulations were unduly restrictive, emphasizing the need for balance and compliance with state law.

Notable Quotes (5)

Ultimately how do we come up with different ways to pay for the city services that everybody wants but not have it directly impact the property taxpayers which unfortunately right now uh because that is the there's very very limited other options to produce Revenue um that's who gets the burden so dispensary if it's profitable could lessen that burden so that's that's an example of of an initiative that we're looking at.

Zoning Text Amendments for Cannabis Business Regulations

The state still requires that we allow one at least one non Municipal cannabis retail so even if we allowed the municipal cannabis retail there still has to be the allowance for one non-municipal.

Zoning Text Amendments for Cannabis Business Regulations

Council was sort of wrestling with that balance so where in the city does it make the most sense given the buffers that the state allows us to do I we can't limit it to you know one zone with no rentable property I mean you have to have reasonably have some places where these businesses could locate.

Zoning Text Amendments for Cannabis Business Regulations

I'll still go back to my concern that we have a treatment facility and then we're um putting this cannabis retail so close to that.

Zoning Text Amendments for Cannabis Business Regulations

I mean that's one way to keep it out because uh to planners wyers um comment it's one one landlord and they could make the rent so high that we would never have one but yeah to me that's I don't want to do it's not business friendly at all yeah and I don't I don't want to do that I want to you know work within the Spirit of what the state of Minnesota is requiring of us.

Zoning Text Amendments for Cannabis Business Regulations

Ordinances & Resolutions (9)

R3A Zoning DistrictPlan

Zoning district undergoing potential amendments and community engagement

Strategic PlanPlan

City document outlining strategic goals including diversifying revenue and sustaining community character

Chapter 722Ordinance

City ordinance currently regulating edible cannabinoid products

Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) Model OrdinanceOther

State-provided guidance informing the city's cannabis regulations

State StatuteOther

State law governing cannabis legalization, city's regulatory authority, and buffer maximums

Zoning Text Amendments for Cannabis Business RegulationsOrdinance

The specific amendments under consideration by the Planning Commission

Development AgreementPermit

Required for large-scale projects like Westway Condos and Moments WZetta

Building PermitPermit

Required for construction, currently under review for 910 WZetta Boulevard and on hold for Moments WZetta

Licensing Provision of City CodeOrdinance

The section of city code where buffer zones and the number of allowed licenses will be addressed by the City Council

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