09-06-23-PC Agenda - Laserfiche WebLink

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ARDEN HILLS PLANNING COMMISSION – August 9, 2023 7 Community Development Director Jagoe stated this recommendation came out of discussions at several Council Worksession meetings. Commissioner Collins asked if this ordinance would allow restaurants with a liquor license to serve low potency THC beverages. Community Development Director Jagoe explained this would not be allowed under the proposed ordinance as drafted. Commissioner Collins questioned why the Council would be more restrictive with THC products than liquor sales. He supported the City having the THC language be more in alignment with liquor sales. Community Development Director Jagoe commented further on the Council’s discussion regarding this topic and she recalled the Council wanted to start out slow with THC sales and this could be expanded over time. She commented further on the requirements per State Statute with respect to the sale of full-strength cannabis and noted the City would have to issue one license. Further discussion ensued regarding the licensing of full cannabis products and staff reported the Council would be having more conversations about the use and sale of full-strength cannabis products. It was noted the sale of cannabis products would be administered by the Office of Cannabis Management. Chair Vijums asked why the B-2 zoning district was excluded from the sale of THC products. Community Development Director Jagoe reported staff was directed by the City Council to draft the language including the B-3 zoning district. She understood the City Council was interested in hearing feedback from the Planning Commission. Chair Vijums believed the City was restricting THC sales and he supported THC sales in the B- 2 zoning district and restaurants. He commented on how prevalent these products would be in the next five years. He recommended the City make the language less restrictive versus more restrictive. Commissioner Wicklund asked if the Commission should be amending the language to include THC sales in the B-2 zoning district, gateway business district with service stations and eliminate item 3 on page 5 for a 500 foot distance separation from certain land uses. Chair Vijums noted he supported the distance restrictions as written in the drafted ordinance, but he did support the sale of THC products at service stations and restaurants. Commissioner Weber recommended the ability to sell lower-potency hemp edibles as a principal use also be considered by the City. He commented further on how he was concerned with the fact the City waited an entire year to get this language in place. Commissioner Bjorklund appreciated the fact the City did not have to reinvent the wheel with this ordinance. He asked staff to see how adjacent cities were regulating this use. He suggested the City draw circles based on the proposed distances for these businesses and see how many