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Date: October 21, 2024 Item: 5.4 <br />Presenter: Laura Oakden, Community Development Director <br />Section: Public Hearings <br /> <br />Title: LA24-0000055, City of Orono Text Amendment, Cannabis, Public Hearing <br /> <br /> <br />1.Purpose: <br />The City of Orono is proposing ordinance to amend the Zoning Code to allow cannabis businesses <br />as permitted uses within business and industrial districts <br />2.Background: <br />During the 2022 legislative session, the Minnesota Legislature legalized cannabis. In 2023, the <br />City of Orono put a moratorium on cannabis businesses. Throughout 2024, the city has been <br />working with state guidelines and the Hennepin County licensing program to develop the <br />appropriate local regulations for cannabis businesses. The state intends to begin issuing cannabis <br />licenses for high-potency cannabis beginning in 2025. <br /> <br />Per State Statue 342, the local municipality can implement registration, inspections, and zoning <br />buffers for cannabis businesses. At the August 12, 2024 work session the city council reviewed the <br />role and policies for the city. The council gave direction for city staff to work with Hennepin <br />County regarding registration and inspection requirements. They also directed staff to develop a <br />zoning amendment to apply buffers allowed by state legislation and amend the definition section <br />of the City Code. <br />3.Public Comment: <br />No public comments have been received. <br />4.Staff Recommendation: <br />Planning Department Staff recommends approval of the draft language as written. <br />5.Planning Commission Action Requested: <br />Planning Commission should make a motion to recommend approval of the draft ordinance and <br />draft summary ordinance. <br />AGENDA ITEM <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />Exhibits <br />Ex A Staff Report, LA24-000055, Cannabis, Text Amendment,.docx <br />Ex B. DRAFT Cannabis Zoning Amendment.DOCX <br />Ex C DRAFT summary ordinance.DOCX <br />Ex D Minnesota_OCM_LG_Guide_.pdf <br />90