HomeMy WebLinkAbout10.21.24 Joint Planning Commission-Council Work Session MinutesJoint Planning Commission-Council Work Session Minutes of October 21, 2024 Page 1 of 3
City of Farmington
Joint Planning Commission and City Council Work Session Minutes
Monday, October 21, 2024
The City Council met in a Joint Work Session with the Planning Commission on Monday,
October 21, 2024, at Farmington City Hall, 430 Third Street, Farmington, Minnesota.
1. CALL TO ORDER
The Joint Work Session was called to order by Mayor Hoyt and Chair Rotty at 5:30 pm.
Members Present:
City Council
Mayor Joshua Hoyt
Councilmembers Katie Bernhjelm, Holly Bernatz, Nick Lien,
and Steve Wilson
Planning Commission
Chair Dirk Rotty
Commissioners LeeAnn Lehto and Krista Tesky
Members Absent:
Planning Commission
Commissioners Mitchell Snobeck and Phil Windschitl
City Staff Present:
Lynn Gorski, City Administrator
Leah Koch, City Attorney
Deanna Kuennen, Community & Economic Development Director
Kellee Omlid, Parks & Recreation Director
Tony Wippler, Planning Manager
Gary Rutherford, Police Chief
John Powell, Public Works Director
Shirley Buecksler, City Clerk
Also Present:
Beth Richmond, Consulting Planner, HKGi
2. APPROVE AGENDA
Motion was made by Councilmember Bernatz and seconded by Councilmember
Wilson to approve the agenda, as presented.
Motion carried: 5 ayes / 0 nays
Joint Planning Commission-Council Work Session Minutes of October 21, 2024 Page 2 of 3
3. DISCUSSION ITEMS
3.1 Discussion on Cannabis Legislation and Potential Regulations
Planning Manager Wippler, along with Beth Richmond of HKGi, presented on
how the City’s zoning code could be updated to address the legislation and to
build off the discussion that was had with the Planning Commission at their
October 8th work session. On July 1st of this year, the City enacted a moratorium
prohibiting the operation of cannabis businesses. This moratorium is set to expire
on January 1, 2025. The intent of this project is to have updated ordinance
language in place that regulates cannabis businesses by the end of 2024.
Council and Commissioners asked questions and received answers.
Discussion:
• The Office of Cannabis Management will issue business licenses.
• Cities are responsible for registration process of retail businesses.
• Staff and the Planning Commission support one license per 12,500 residents.
• A municipal cannabis store would not count towards that cap.
• Buffering – discussion on some buffering that could be relaxed later or a
slower approach with no buffers; consensus was no buffers for now.
• Keep conditional permits as presented.
• Hours of operation to align with on and off sale liquor.
• Aligned in zoning.
• Add indoor cultivation.
• Clean Indoor Act would apply – it applies to any smokeable products.
Planning Commission:
• Discuss at a work session and come back in December or January with
recommendations on other conditions.
• Add conditions for A-1 indoor.
HKGi:
• Will work with Staff and bring to the Planning Commission, followed by the
public hearing process, to get the City to the end of the year.
4. COUNCIL COMMITTEE UPDATE
No update.
5. CITY ADMINISTRATOR UPDATE
No update.
6. ADJOURNMENT
Motion was made by Commissioner Tesky and seconded by Commissioner Lehto to
adjourn the meeting at 6:24 pm.
Motion carried: 3 ayes / 0 nays
Joint Planning Commission-Council Work Session Minutes of October 21, 2024 Page 3 of 3
Motion was made by Councilmember Lien and seconded by Councilmember Bernatz
to adjourn the meeting at 6:24 pm.
Motion carried 5 ayes / 0 nays
Respectfully submitted,
Shirley R Buecksler
City Clerk