5.3. PCSR 02-27-2024 - Laserfiche WebLink

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The city owns a vacant developable lot and much of the surrounding agricultural research land has the potential to be developed in the future. The proposed use will not impede the normal and orderly development of surrounding vacant parcels. Staff does not see a need to impose specific conditions to satisfy this standard. 4. Will be served adequately by and will not adversely affect essential public facilities and services including streets, police and fire protection, drainage, refuse disposal, water and sewer systems, parks and schools; and will not, in particular, create traffic congestion or interference with traffic on adjacent and neighboring public thoroughfares. Vireo’s operation will require a significant amount of electricity at full build-out. They have been working closely with ERMU to find a solution to their power needs. The building is required to connect to city utilities and the public infrastructure has the capacity to provide the noted water and sewer needs. Anticipated traffic is equal to or less than previous uses on the site and existing roadway infrastructure has the capacity to handle the traffic. The use will also be subject to additional standards from the state which may address related concerns for the operation. Staff included a condition requiring the building to connect to city sewer and water and pay all required connection fees. 5. Will not involve uses, activities, processes, materials, equipment and conditions of operation that will be detrimental to any persons or property because of excessive traffic, noise, smoke, fumes, glare, odors, dust or vibrations. Cannabis manufacturing (growing) and processing has the potential to generate excessive odors. The applicant is proposing to operate their grow operation within individual cultivation rooms that utilizes a positive-pressure system to minimize off-site odors. These rooms are also within the larger building (a room within a room) providing additional odor mitigation opportunities. There are no existing residential uses in the vicinity of the site, and prevailing winds would generally blow odors over the agricultural fields south and east of the subject site. The use will also be subject to additional standards from the state which may address related concerns for the operation. Staff does not see a need to impose specific conditions to satisfy this standard. 6. Will not result in the destruction, loss or damage of a natural, scenic or historic feature of major importance. The site is fully built-out and there are no proposed changes to the site. Staff does not see a need to impose specific conditions to satisfy this standard. 7. Will fully comply with all other requirements of this Code, including any applicable requirements and standards for the issuance of a license or permit to establish and operate the proposed use in the city. Commercial Cannabis Manufacturing is tightly regulated by Minnesota Statutes Chapter 342. Prior to beginning growing operations on site, the applicant must receive all required approvals and licenses from the state. The applicant will be required to provide proof of these approvals to the city. Outside of state requirements, which will be reviewed separately by the state’s Office of Cannabis Management, the use will fully comply with city requirements. Staff included conditions noting the requirement to receive all necessary approvals from the state prior to beginning commercial cannabis operations.