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W <br /> Minutes <br /> Planning Commission Regular Meeting <br /> ,, Monday,October 21, 2024, 6:00 PM <br /> City Council Chambers 2780 Kelley Parkway, Orono, MN 55356 <br /> kES H O9- <br /> 5.4. LA24-000055 CITY OF ORONO TEXT AMENDMENT, CANNABIS, PUBLIC HEARING <br /> The Planning Commission is requested to review the Staff report,receive a presentation,and discuss the <br /> proposed regulations for Cannabis businesses in the City within the conditions allowed by State law. The <br /> State can begin issuing licenses in 2025. Community Development Director Oakden explained once an <br /> application is received State law allows the City 30 days to react, which is shorter than the Conditional <br /> Use Permit process. For that reason, staff is proposing Cannabis businesses as permitted uses in business <br /> and industrial districts except for the buffer areas around schools,parks, daycares and other similar uses <br /> identified by law. Oakden said the buffers proposed are the strictest the City can designate. The new <br /> regulations are for high-potency Cannabis businesses including retail and manufacturing. <br /> The Planning Commission discussed the item and asked questions of staff. Discussion centered on the <br /> buffer areas. They asked if the buffer can be applied to churches that have Sunday School and other <br /> similar activities for children. Commissioners complimented staff on taking the initiative to be prepared <br /> for any applications that come forward in 2025. <br /> Chair Bollis opened the public hearing at 7:07 p.m. <br /> There were no public comments. <br /> Chair Bollis closed the public hearing at 7:07 p.m. <br /> Commissioners expressed frustration with some of the State rules and concerns about turning the process <br /> to issue registrations over to Hennepin County, as the City Council has discussed. Hennepin County has <br /> offered to manage the registration process within State Statute. The City would need to indicate that the <br /> request was for a location in an allowed area. Action at this meeting was to deal only with the text <br /> amendment setting areas and buffers for a permitted use. <br /> Kraemer moved, Schultze seconded,to approve LA24-000055, draft City of Orono Text <br /> Amendment,Cannabis.VOTE: Ayes: 4,Nays 1 (Erickson). <br /> 6. NEW BUSINESS <br /> 6.1 LA24-000054,ROB PAGE,430 OLD CRYSTAL BAY ROAD, SITE PLAN REVIEW <br /> The site plan would be for an 85-unit garage condo development,which consists of purchased interior <br /> storage units for cars boats and RVs that could be used as storage by individuals or a business such as an <br /> electrician. The site is the last vacant property in the industrial area. Staff does not support the plan as <br /> proposed due to the potential for residential conversion. Staff could support it as a storage facility with <br /> conditions and suggested a text amendment to include garage condos as a conditional use. <br /> The Planning Commission discussed the item and asked questions of staff and the applicant,Rob Page. <br /> He said the facility would have no common areas and no place to congregate, and residential habitation <br /> would be prohibited. It would be proposed to be built in three phases. It would be managed by an HOA, <br /> which is the reason for the condo designation. <br /> Page 3 of 4 <br /> 5 <br />