St. Paul City Council Deliberates on Cannabis Ordinance Amid Public Concerns
- Meeting Overview:
The St. Paul City Council meeting focused on issues including amendments to the cannabis zoning ordinance, a property slated for potential demolition, and approvals for several public event variances. Public input on the cannabis ordinance dominated the session, highlighting concerns about odor control and community impact.
0:00The council opened a public hearing on a proposed ordinance to amend various chapters of the legislative code concerning adult-use cannabis. The ordinance aims to align local regulations with state laws and accommodate the growing cannabis market. Community members took the opportunity to voice their concerns, particularly about cultivation and manufacturing processes. Robert Strong, a retired attorney, criticized the ordinance for its lack of specific odor control measures. He shared concerns from other communities where cannabis odors had reportedly caused health issues for residents. Strong advocated for the inclusion of specific requirements, such as carbon scrubbers, to protect residents from potential odor problems.
Echoing these sentiments, Thomas, co-chair of the Land Use Committee for District 12, emphasized the potential impact on neighborhoods with industrial zoning. He pointed out discrepancies in the ordinance regarding odor regulations for facilities of different sizes and urged the council to address these inconsistencies. Another resident, Tim, expressed concerns about increased traffic and accidents linked to dispensaries, urging the council to consider the implications for commercial districts. The council decided to extend the public hearing into the following week to allow for more comprehensive community input.
28:35In another discussion, the council deliberated on the future of a property on Robert Street South, which has been in the vacant building program since August 2022. The property, a former Burger King, has faced issues of deterioration and vandalism. A representative from the neighborhood urged the council to refrain from ordering demolition, emphasizing ongoing efforts by both the buyer and seller to rehabilitate the building. The purchase agreement had undergone multiple amendments.
However, skepticism was expressed by a council member regarding the motivations of the out-of-state LLC managing the property. They highlighted ongoing community complaints and the property’s nuisance status, questioning the lack of progress in securing a purchase agreement. The council member stressed the importance of a nuisance abatement plan, suggesting measures such as fencing, lighting, and security systems to mitigate further issues during rehabilitation. They linked the current situation to a past case involving a similar property where eventual removal was necessary due to prolonged inaction.
Consensus formed around requiring a detailed nuisance abatement plan before any further action. The council agreed to refer the matter back to legislative hearing, allowing time for the development of such a plan. A follow-up legislative hearing was scheduled for late October, with the proposed abatement plan expected to include specific security measures.
0:00The meeting also covered various public event variances. The council approved an application for live amplified sound at an event scheduled for September 14, 2024, after hearing positive community feedback about its multicultural engagement. Additionally, the council adopted a resolution approving Minnesota United FC’s application for amplified sound for an event on September 18. Another variance involved conduit revenue bonds for the “Our Car” project, which aims to develop a new facility on Duluth Street.
The council addressed an ordinance amendment to allow unlimited catered events at the Union Depot and the Science Museum of Minnesota. Despite no public speakers during the hearing, the ordinance was laid over for final adoption in September.
Melvin Carter
City Council Officials:
Anika Bowie, Rebecca Noecker, Saura Jost, Mitra Jalali, HwaJeong Kim, Nelsie Yang, Cheniqua Johnson
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Meeting Type:
City Council
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Committee:
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Meeting Date:
09/04/2024
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Recording Published:
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Duration:
43 Minutes
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Notability Score:
Routine
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State:
Minnesota
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County:
Ramsey County
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Towns:
St. Paul
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