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ARDEN HILLS PLANNING COMMISSION – August 9, 2023 7 <br /> <br /> <br />Commissioner Collins questioned why the Council would be more restrictive with THC <br />products than liquor sales. He supported the City having the THC language be more in alignment <br />with liquor sales. <br /> <br />Community Development Director Jagoe commented further on the Council’s discussion <br />regarding this topic and she recalled the Council wanted to start out slow with THC sales and <br />this could be expanded over time. She commented further on the requirements per State Statute <br />with respect to the sale of full-strength cannabis and noted the City would have to issue one <br />license. <br /> <br />Further discussion ensued regarding the licensing of full cannabis products and staff reported the <br />Council would be having more conversations about the use and sale of full-strength cannabis <br />products. It was noted the sale of cannabis products would be administered by the Office of <br />Cannabis Management. <br /> <br />Chair Vijums asked why the B-2 zoning district was excluded from the sale of THC products. <br /> <br />Community Development Director Jagoe reported staff was directed by the City Council to <br />draft the language including the B-3 zoning district. She understood the City Council was <br />interested in hearing feedback from the Planning Commission. <br /> <br />Chair Vijums believed the City was restricting THC sales and he supported THC sales in the B- <br />2 zoning district and restaurants. He commented on how prevalent these products would be in <br />the next five years. He recommended the City make the language less restrictive versus more <br />restrictive. <br /> <br />Commissioner Wicklund asked if the Commission should be amending the language to include <br />THC sales in the B-2 zoning district, gateway business district with service stations and <br />eliminate item 3 on page 5 for a 500 foot distance separation from certain land uses. <br /> <br />Chair Vijums noted he supported the distance restrictions as written in the drafted ordinance, <br />but he did support the sale of THC products at service stations and restaurants. <br /> <br />Commissioner Weber recommended the ability to sell lower-potency hemp edibles as a <br />principal use also be considered by the City. He commented further on how he was concerned <br />with the fact the City waited an entire year to get this language in place. <br /> <br />Commissioner Bjorklund appreciated the fact the City did not have to reinvent the wheel with <br />this ordinance. He asked staff to see how adjacent cities were regulating this use. He suggested <br />the City draw circles based on the proposed distances for these businesses and see how many <br />properties would be impacted. He understood some distance was necessary, but he feared 1000 <br />feet or 500 feet was too high. <br /> <br />Commissioner Blilie agreed that THC products should be allowed to be sold at restaurants if <br />alcohol is also served. She supported this ordinance being more broad versus more restrictive. <br /> <br />Chair Vijums opened the public hearing at 7:43 p.m. <br /> <br />Chair Vijums invited anyone for or against the application to come forward and make comment.