The most notable development at the meeting was the public hearing on an ordinance amendment to establish definitions and designate appropriate zoning districts for cannabis businesses. This comes in response to the state’s legalization of adult-use cannabis and the city’s previously enacted moratorium in September 2023. The proposed amendment outlines new definitions for various cannabis-related businesses, including cultivation, delivery, lounges, and retail operations. These definitions will be crucial in determining where such businesses can operate within Oakdale, under compliance with state guidelines set forth by the Office of Cannabis Management.

The discussion revealed that while cannabis lounges and retail operations would be permitted in neighborhood and community commercial districts, cultivation would be allowed in general industrial districts. A zoning map was presented to illustrate these areas, sparking a discussion about the absence of a specific zoning category for cannabis cultivation. This prompted concerns among commission members, who sought clearer definitions and consistency across all types of cannabis businesses. In response, a proposal was made to amend the draft ordinance to explicitly include cannabis cultivation businesses within the general industrial district, which was met with openness for further review by staff and legal counsel. The public hearing concluded without any public input, and the commission unanimously voted to recommend approval of the ordinance, pending staff consultations with legal representatives regarding the cultivation business designation.

Following the cannabis ordinance discussion, the meeting shifted focus to an update on the city’s zoning and subdivision regulations. The commission is working closely with a consultant to revise these regulations, an effort that began in March 2024. The proposed changes, anticipated for adoption early next year, aim to streamline the city’s 14 existing zoning districts into a more concise table format. This includes reducing the number of residential districts and introducing a new mixed-use zoning district for greater development flexibility. Notably, the consolidation of the C1 and C2 commercial zoning districts and the elimination of the Tower District were topics, with communications towers being restricted to heavy and general industrial zones.

The commission emphasized the importance of community feedback in this process, acknowledging the technical nature of zoning ordinances. To gather input, an online questionnaire is available until November 15, and commissioners were urged to participate. Stakeholders such as developers, architects, and past applicants have been consulted to identify areas of the code that may need revision. Commissioners were particularly interested in revising multifamily parking requirements.

In addition to zoning and parking, the commission discussed updates to exterior design standards, particularly the classification of pre-engineered metal buildings. Currently prohibited under the zoning code, these buildings lack clear definitions, posing challenges for staff interpreting metal classifications in recent proposals. A suggestion was made to impose a limitation on the percentage of metal used in building exteriors to simplify regulations, while still allowing for some use of metal in construction. The commission also considered the need for clearer guidelines and definitions to assist staff and developers.