HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025 11-10 CC Special PacketCITY OF GEM LAKE
Heritage Hall
4200 Otter Lake Road | Gem Lake, MN 55110
651-747-2790/92 | 651-747-2795 (fax)
E-mail city@gemlakemn.org
City Council Special Meeting
November 10, 2025
Lindner
Call to Order of City Council Meeting
By Mayor Artig-Swomley at 7: p.m.
Call of Roll
Artig-Swomley Cacioppo Patrick Johnson
Approve Agenda and Minutes
x Accept the Agenda for the November 10, 2025, City Council Special
Presentation/Public Hearing
x Resolution 2025-033; Approving a Conditional Use Permit 1599 County Road E East, Parcel ID
273022120007
Adjournment – The meeting adjourned at ________
Memorandum
To: Gem Lake City Council Project Reference:
1599 County Road E East – Cannabis
Microbusiness CUP Request
Copies To:
Maxwell Vannelli, The Joint
LLC
TKDA Project No.: 22428.000
Ryan Podwills, Ryan
Podwills Properties LLC
From: CJ Sycks, Planner Client No.:
Date: November 3, 2025
SUBJECT: Conditional Use Permit request for Cannabis Microbusiness at 1599 County Road E East
MEETING DATE: November 11, 2025
LOCATION: 1599 County Road E East (Parcel ID 273022430018)
APPLICANT/OWNER: Maxwell Vannelli, The Joint LLC / Ryan Podwills, Ryan Podwills Properties LLC
ZONING: G, Gateway and NC, Neighborhood Center
REVIEW PERIOD: 60-day review period ends 12/29/25
ITEMS REVIEWED: Application and plans received on 10/29/25
DESCRIPTION OF THE REQUEST
The applicant, Maxwell Vannelli/The Joint LLC, is requesting consideration of a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) for
property located at 1599 County Road E East to allow for a “cannabis microbusiness” to sell state licensed adult-
use legal cannabis products. The property is located within the Neighborhood Center, NC, Sub-Zone of the
greater Gateway, G, Zoning District. The applicant owns The Joint, LLC and is required to obtain a CUP to open
their business, The Lakes Dispensary (formerly the Smoke Den by a previous owner).
Cannabis microbusinesses are permitted as a conditional use within the Gateway Zoning per Ordinance 147,
Section 4.2. Following local zoning approval, the City will report compliance to the State Office of Cannabis
Management (OCM). OCM will then finish their review of the application and grant or deny a cannabis
microbusiness license.
CUP processes are governed by Ordinance 131, Section 17.5. A CUP application typically receives review and a
recommendation by the Planning Commission. This application was not reviewed by the Planning Commission;
however, a public hearing has been published for this Special City Council meeting date, 11/10/2025, as advised
by the City Attorney(s).
1599 County Road E East – Cannabis Microbusiness CUP Request
Gem Lake City Council Meeting 11/10/2025
November 3, 2025
Page 2
PROPERTY INFORMATION
Description: 1599 County Road E East is located in the Neighborhood Center Sub-Zone of the Gateway District.
The property is located at the intersection of Scheuneman Road and County Road E East. The building also
includes Al’s Gun Shop. Ryan Podwills Properties LLC owns the property. The parcel is 0.52 acres in size and
addressed 1601 County Road E East County GIS, however the southern building is considered 1599 Country
Road E East.
Land Use: Commercial, multiple tenants
Figure 1: Aerial of the site, from Ramsey County GIS.
Figure 2: Image of the site, from Google Maps Street View, taken in July 2024 from the south looking north.
Not to Scale
1599 County Road E East – Cannabis Microbusiness CUP Request
Gem Lake City Council Meeting 11/10/2025
November 3, 2025
Page 3
EVALUTION OF THE REQUEST
The applicant “proposes to operate a state-licensed adult-use marijuana dispensary.” They state that the “use will
fully comply with Minnesota State Statue Chapter 342, applicable rules adopted by the Office Cannabis
Management, and all local ordinances and licensing requirements established by the City and State.”
Cannabis Microbusiness is defined as, “A business licensed to operate as a ‘cannabis microbusiness’ by the
Minnesota Office of Cannabis Management, pursuant to Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 342.28.
“Cannabis Microbusiness” includes up to 13 different more specific uses as defined in state statute. The applicant
states that they will be receiving retail endorsement only. There will be no growing, harvesting, processing, or
packaging of cannabis or hemp products on site. Additionally, they will not be receiving an onsite consumption
endorsement; therefore, any on site use of cannabis or hemp products is prohibited.
Ordinance 147. Cannabis Business
Adopted by City Council on January 21st, 2025, the purpose of Ordinance 147 “is to implement the provisions of
Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 342, which authorizes the City of Gem Lake to protect the public health, safety,
welfare of Gem Lake residents by regulating cannabis businesses within the legal boundaries of the City of Gem
Lake.” The application appears to be consistent with all regulations set forth in Ordinance 147.
x Section 3.1 requires all cannabis businesses to register with the City of Gem Lake. The business owner
applied for registration on July 16th, 2025, and was issued registration on August 1st, 2025. This
registration is invalid due to the lack of proper zoning approval as required by Section 3.2 of Ordinance
147. a compliance check in section. If the CUP is approved, the registration will be placed into effect.
Staff should issue new registration, signed and dated accordingly. If the CUP is denied, the registration
will be officially revoked. Staff should issue a formal letter stating the situation and status of the
registration.
x Section 4.1 outlines the minimum buffer requirements for a cannabis business. The proposed location is
not located within any of the prohibited buffer areas.
x Section 4.3 restricts retail sale to hours of operation Monday – Sunday, 10:00 am – 9:00 pm. The
applicants indicate a desire to be open Monday – Sunday and have open hours “in accordance with City
Ordinances.” The applicant would be required to adhere to these hours if granted a CUP.
x Section 4.4 permits up to two fixed signs on the exterior of the building or property of the business. The
applicant is currently in compliance with this requirement.
x Section 8 states that “No person shall use cannabis flower, cannabis products, lower-potency hemp
edibles, or hemp-derived consumer products in a public place or a place of public accommodation unless
the premises is an establishment, or an event licensed to permit on-site consumption of adult-use.” The
applicant is not applying for an onsite consumption endorsement. This activity would be prohibited if
granted a CUP for retail only.
Ordinance 131. Consolidated Land Use Ordinance
Section 17.5 regulates Conditional and Interim Use Permit processes. When reviewing a request eight (8) criteria
should be reviewed by the Council. Below are the criteria in italics, followed by information from the application
and staff review. All eight (8) criteria are met.
1. Adjacent Uses; and
The use is permitted by Ordinance 147 in this location (Gateway, Neighborhood Center). The business is
not located within any restricted buffer areas.
2. Air and Water Quality; and
1599 County Road E East – Cannabis Microbusiness CUP Request
Gem Lake City Council Meeting 11/10/2025
November 3, 2025
Page 4
State Statute requires cannabis businesses to “maintain a ventilation and filtration system sufficient to
meet the requirements for odor control.”
3. Traffic Generations; and
The applicants state that existing on-site parking will be utilized and that traffic patterns will not change
significantly.
4. Public Safety and Health; and
The applicants address safety in their narrative. A summary is provided following this section.
5. Area Aesthetics; and
There are no proposed exterior modifications or additions at this time. A business sign was recently
approved to allow an illuminated, wall mounted sign that states “The Lakes Dispensary”.
6. Economic Impact on the Entire Area; and
A new retail business in the area would be expected to impact the local economy in a neutral or positive
manner.
7. Consistency with the Comprehensive Municipal Plan; and
This location is planned for commercial in the 2040 Comprehensive Plan. The application is consistent
with this designation.
8. Anticipated Duration of the Conditional or Interim Use.
There is no anticipated termination date for the CUP. CUPs “run with the land”. They may be revoked if
the use is terminated for at least six (6) months. If a business name is listed on the CUP, a CUP
amendment is required when a sale of the property/shop is made.
Section 17.5.9.2 & 3 provides general standards for all new uses. Below are the standards in italics. All seven (7)
of the standards appear to be met.
x Compliance with all zoning and other regulations as may otherwise be applicable;
x The date or the event that will terminate the use can be identified with certainty;
x The existence of the Conditional or Interim Use will not impose additional costs on the public if it becomes
necessary for the public to take the property in the future;
x The user agrees to any conditions of approval associated with the approval of the Conditional or Interim
Use Permit by the City Council.
x Shall maintain harmony and compatibility with surrounding uses and with the architectural character and
design standards of existing uses and development;
x Shall meet or exceed all Performance Standards contain elsewhere in this Ordinance;
x Shall not generate such additional traffic associated with the use that would overburden or exceed the
capabilities of streets and other public services and facilities including, but not limited to, parks, schools,
and utilities serving the area.
Security
The applicant provided an overview of the business’ anticipated security measures.
x Building security: The applicant states that they will “implement a robust security program using Verkada
alarm and camera systems and 360 Security for active surveillance and alarm monitoring.” In addition,
there will be restricted access, and intrusion alarms, and they will follow storage protocols as required by
OCM.
x Point of Sale Security: In terms of point-of-sale security, “transactions will be securely processed using
the Dutchie POS System, providing encrypted financial tracking, age verification, and complaint
recordkeeping.”
1599 County Road E East – Cannabis Microbusiness CUP Request
Gem Lake City Council Meeting 11/10/2025
November 3, 2025
Page 5
x Public safety: “exterior lighting, security monitoring of parking areas, and regulated customer access will
ensure minimal impact to the surrounding neighborhood and public right-of-way. No outdoor product
display, advertising targeting minors, or loitering will be permitted.”
ACTION
The City Council has the following options for the Conditional Use Permit request:
1. Approve the request, with or without conditions.
2. Deny the request, with findings for denial.
3. Table the request for further review/study.
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommend the City Council approve the CUP request, with the following conditions:
1. The Joint LLC is permitted for the retail sales of state-licensed products only at the address listed above.
2. The applicant is required to completely satisfy the State Office of Cannabis Management licensing for a
cannabis microbusiness.
3. No cultivation is permitted.
4. No outdoor storage of cannabis and hemp products is permitted.
5. No on-site consumption is permitted.
6. The use is required to maintain compliance with state and local building, fire, and zoning requirements or
regulations.
CITY OF GEM LAKE
RAMSEY COUNTY, MINNESOTA
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
ON CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT FOR 1599 COUNTY ROAD E EAST
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the City Council of Gem Lake, Ramsey County, Minnesota
shall hold a public hearing for a Conditional Use Permit for 1599 County Road E East for a
Microbusiness Cannabis License. The hearing will take place at a Special City Council meeting on
November 10, 2025, at approximately 7:00 p.m. at the Gem Lake City Hall (4200 Otter Lake Road).
Gretchen Artig-Swomley, Mayor
Published one time in the White Bear Press on October 23, 2025.
CITY OF GEM LAKE, MINNESOTA
RESOLUTION NO.
APPROVING A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT FOR 1599 COUNTY ROAD E EAST,
PARCEL ID 273022120007
WHEREAS, The Joint LLC (“The Applicant”), on behalf of the property owner Ryan
Podwills Properties LLC, made an application to request a conditional use permit to allow for a
retail only cannabis microbusiness for at the address listed above; and
WHEREAS, the property is legally described as follows:
See Attachment A; and
WHEREAS, the City Council reviewed the request at a duly noticed public hearing on
November 10, 2025, and determined that the proposed request meets the criteria for a conditional
use permit, and voted to approve the request with conditions; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL
OF GEM LAKE, RAMSEY COUNTY, MINNESOTA, that it should and hereby does
approve the conditional use permit to allow for a retail only cannabis microbusiness for 1599
County Road E East, Parcel ID 273022120007, based on the following findings:
1. Based on the applicant’s submittal, the request meets the requirements of the city’s
Consolidated Land Use Ordinance (Ordinance No. 131) and Cannabis Business
Ordinance (Ordinance No. 147).
FURTHER BE IT RESOLVED that the following conditions of approval shall be met:
1. The Joint LLC is permitted for the retail sales of state-licensed products only, at the
address listed above.
2. The applicant is required to completely satisfy the State Office of Cannabis Management
licensing for a cannabis microbusiness.
3. Cultivation is prohibited.
4. Outdoor storage of any products is prohibited.
5. On-site consumption is prohibited.
6. The use is required to maintain compliance with state and local building, fire, and zoning
requirements or regulations.
Adopted by the City Council of Gem Lake, Ramsey County, Minnesota, on this 10th day of
November 2025.
______________________________ _____________________________
Gretchen Artig-Swomley, Mayor Barbara Suciu, City Clerk
Resolution No.:
Page 2 of 2
Attachment A:
SECTION 27 TOWN 30 RANGE 22 PART OF S 27O FT OF SE 1/4 WLY OF N P RY R/W
AND ELY OF SCHEUNEMAN RD /SUBJ TO HWY OVER S 75 FT/ IN SEC 27 TN 30 RN 22
CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT
Applicant: The Joint LLC
Address: 1599 County Road E East (Parcel ID 273022120007)
Zoning District(s): Gateway, G and Neighborhood Center, NC
Proposed Use: Cannabis Microbusiness, Retail
This permit is subject to the following conditions:
1. The Joint LLC is permitted for the retail sales of state-licensed products only,
at the address listed above.
2. The applicant is required to completely satisfy the State Office of Cannabis
Management licensing for a cannabis microbusiness.
3. Cultivation is prohibited.
4. Outdoor storage of any products is prohibited.
5. On-site consumption is prohibited.
6. The use is required to maintain compliance with state and local building, fire,
and zoning requirements or regulations.
Adopted by the City Council of Gem Lake, Ramsey County, Minnesota, on this 10th
day of November 2025.
_____________________________ _____________________________
Gretchen Artig-Swomley, Mayor Barbara Suciu, City Clerk