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Planning Commission Minutes Page 5 <br />November 28, 2023 <br />----------------------------- <br />Motion carried 7-0. <br /> <br />4.24 City of Elk River <br /> Ordinance Amendment Regulating Cannabis Growing, Processing, and Manufacturing, Case No. <br />OA 23-06 <br /> <br />Mr. Carlton presented the staff report. He noted retail regulation will be discussed in early 2024. <br /> <br />Commissioner Mauren asked about any limits for the number of manufacturers a city can have. <br /> <br />Mr. Carlton stated based upon population figures, Elk River is required to issue 2 retail licenses but from a <br />manufacturing standpoint, there are no requirements or cap; alternatively, the city could also say no to any <br />manufacturing. <br /> <br />Chair Larson-Vito asked about operations in Otsego. <br /> <br />Mr. Carlton stated Otsego has had operations for a few years growing and manufacturing medical cannabis, <br />which have similar regulations. They were approved as agricultural use and operations were in greenhouses, <br />completely indoors. He stated they have received no real complaints, and their location is close to I-94 <br />without many residential developments surrounding it. <br /> <br />Chair Larson-Vito opened the public hearing. There being no one present to speak on this item, Chair <br />Larson-Vito continued the public hearing to December 19, 2023. <br /> <br />Mr. Carlton asked the Planning Commission for feedback on what the proposed ordinance should contain. <br /> <br />After discussion, it was the consensus of the Planning Commission to recommend manufacturing in the <br />city’s industrial districts. They suggested the following: <br /> -Indoor manufacturing/growing only <br /> -Industrial zoning 1 & 2 – perimeter of site must be 1,000 from homes/schools <br /> -Full warehouse or hybrid greenhouse operation <br />-CUP process can address noise, sound, light, odor mitigation, and other concerns <br />-Closed setting (no public) <br />-Compliance reports/inspections/police reports not required <br />-Manufacturing separate from retail sales <br /> <br />6. General Business <br /> <br />There was no General Business to report. Mr. Carlton reminded the commission that due to the Christmas <br />holiday, the December meeting will be held December 19. <br /> <br />7. Council Liaison Updates <br /> <br />Councilmember Westgaard updated the commission on recent council decisions. <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />