A proposal to rezone the property at 14303 60th Street North from RB (Residential Business) to B2 (General Business) came before the Oak Park Heights Planning Commission on Nov. 13, with city staff recommending denial on the grounds that the change conflicts with the city's comprehensive plan and long-term land use goals.

The rezoning request was paired with a proposed comprehensive plan amendment for the same parcel and a conditional use permit application for a retail cannabis dispensary. A public hearing on the property opened at 6:14 p.m., following the commission's 6 p.m. call to order.

City planner Scott told commissioners that the RB district along the 60th Street North corridor functions as a transition between the Highway 36 commercial corridor and nearby residential neighborhoods, and that a general business designation would undercut that purpose.

Applicant Richard "Dick" Zimmerman, a longtime local business owner, said he hopes to convert the vacant site into a retail cannabis store and argued the operation would be comparable to other businesses already active along the corridor.

Asked when the business could open if approvals were granted, Zimmerman said, "We would shoot for late spring of 2026."